What are the physical symptoms of CLS?

Symptoms include physical, and intellectual delays. There are also behaviors symptomatic of this disorder.

For example, affected children have delayed sitting, crawling, and walking. The child’s gait may be clumsy or off-balance. Often, patients have “stimulus-induced drop episodes” or SIDE’s. Unexpected touch or sounds or excitement triggers a brief collapse but no unconsciousness.

Most patients with CLS are happy, pleasant individuals with good communication skills despite limited verbal abilities. Some behaviors overlap with characteristics of autism. On occasion, patients display temper tantrums, especially in transitioning from favorite activities. Some patients have a dislike of being touched, general anxiety, and language delays.

The typical  curved spine can cause back pain, and the short fingers can limit manual dexterity.