Muscle tone is the tension present in the muscles of the body, which enables one to assume different postures against gravity. Sufficient muscle tone provides a base for accurate movements and is required for all motor actions of the body, e.g. walking, grasping a pencil, sitting upright, etc. 

Results of poor muscle tone: 

• A general delay in development, especially in relation to gross and fine motor skills 

• Untidy handwriting 

• Slow working speed 

• Inability to sit quietly to concentrate for a required period of time 

• Hyperactive behaviour – moves around a lot in an attempt to build up the tone in the muscles 

• Often appears tense with frequent headaches and tiredness 

• The body will increase the size of superficial muscles in an effort to provide more support 

Low Muscle Tone: 

Refers to a child’s ability to reach across the imaginary line down the centre of the body with the arms and legs. 

Results of an inability to cross the midline: 

• Poor writing patterns 

• Affected gross motor skills 

• Insufficient fine co-ordination skills 

Crossing the midline: