Infant Behaviors

Question 1

T/F: hands together can be a calming strategy for infants

Answer 1

TRUE

form of self-regulation

Question 2

what is the Synactive Theory of Development?

Answer 2

infant behavior is meaningful and has communication value

Question 3

what are the behavioral subsystems within the Synactive Theory of Development?

Answer 3

1. Automatic
2. Motor
3. State
4. Attention/interaction

*note these are not hierarchical

Question 4

what is the purpose of behavior subsystems within the Synactive Theory of Development?

Answer 4

they help support a baby’s interactions with their environment and allow for self-regulation

Question 5

T/F: if a baby doesn’t have a stable ANS we can’t expect them to have normal interactions with their environment

Answer 5

TRUE

at the core of the motor system is automatic stability

Question 6

when does self-regulation occur according to the Synactive Theory of Development?

Answer 6

when demands are within the infant’s current developmental expectations, organized, self-regulatory behaviors are observed

Question 7

what are the channels of communication within the Synactive Theory of Development?

Answer 7

1. Automatic
   
   1. respiration pattern
   2. color
   3. visceral signals

Question 8

Automatic subsystem signs of self regulatory behaviors

Answer 8

1. smooth respiration
2. good, stable color
3. stable digestion

Question 9

T/F: if a baby has a bowel movement during therapy this is a sign of stress

Answer 9

Generally TRUE

but it depends, if it occurs during stretching can be normal, if it is a response to therapy it may be stress

Question 10

Automatic subsystem signs of stress/disorganized behaviors

Answer 10

1. seizures
2. respiratory pauses
3. color changes to mottled, webbed, cyanotic, gray, flushed
4. gagging, gasping
5. spitting up
6. hiccups
7. straining or actually producing a bowel movement
8. tremors, startling, twitching
9. coughing
10. sneezing
11. yawning
12. sighing

Question 11

what are channels of communication within the motor subsystem?

Answer 11

1. tone
2. posture
3. movement

Question 12

motor subsystem self-regulation behaviors are generally described as

Answer 12

• smooth, well-modulated posture and well-regulated tone
• synchronous smooth movements with efficient motor strategies

Question 13

give examples of synchronous smooth movements with efficient motor strategies

Answer 13

1. hand clasp
2. foot clasp
3. finger fold
4. hand-to-mouth or face maneuvers
5. grasping
6. suck searching and sucking
7. hand holding
8. tucking
9. leg bracing

Question 14

what is tucking?

Answer 14

moving into flexion

Question 15

what is leg bracing?

Answer 15

pushing leg against something

Question 16

Give examples of motor subsystem signs of stress/disorganized behaviors

Answer 16

1. motor flaccidity or “tuning out” of:
   
   1. the trunk, extremities or face (gape face)
2. Motor hypertonicity with extension of:
   
   1. trunk (arching, opisthodomos)
   2. legs (sitting on air, leg bracing)
   3. arms (airplane; salute)
   4. hands and feet (splays)
   5. face (grimacing and tongue extension)

Question 17

what is opisthotonus?

Answer 17

arching to the extreme

Question 18

Motor subsystem signs of stress/disorganized behaviors cont.

Answer 18

1. motor hypertonicity with:
   
   1. protective maneuvers
      
      1. hand on face
      2. high guard arm position
   2. hyperflexion
      
      1. fisting
      2. trunk and extremities (fetal tuck)
2. frantic, diffuse activity

Question 19

Channels of communication within the State and Attention subsystem

Answer 19

1. deep sleep
2. light sleep
3. drowsy (transition to alert or sleep)
4. alert
5. active alert
6. cry

Question 20

what are you generally looking for when addressing the state subsystem?

Answer 20

1. range of states
2. state clarity
3. transition patterns

Question 21

State subsystem self-regulatory behaviors

Answer 21

1. clear robust sleep states
2. rhythmical robust crying
3. good self quieting and/or consolability
4. robust, focused, shiny-eyed alertness with intent and/or animated facial expression

Question 22

give examples of animated facial expressions that are signs of self-regulation

Answer 22

1. frowning
2. cheek softening
3. mouth pursing to “ooh” face
4. cooing
5. attentional smiling

Question 23

State subsystem signs of stress/disorganized behaviors

Answer 23

1. diffuse sleep or awake states with whimpering sounds, facial twitches and discharge smiling
2. strained fussing or crying
3. panicked or worried alertness
4. glassy-eyed strained alertness
5. irritability and diffuse arousal
6. rapid state oscillations
7. crying
8. eye floating; staring; active gaze averting