Infant Behaviors Flashcards
T/F: hands together can be a calming strategy for infants
TRUE
form of self-regulation
what is the Synactive Theory of Development?
infant behavior is meaningful and has communication value
what are the behavioral subsystems within the Synactive Theory of Development?
- Automatic
- Motor
- State
- Attention/interaction
*note these are not hierarchical
what is the purpose of behavior subsystems within the Synactive Theory of Development?
they help support a baby’s interactions with their environment and allow for self-regulation
T/F: if a baby doesn’t have a stable ANS we can’t expect them to have normal interactions with their environment
TRUE
at the core of the motor system is automatic stability
when does self-regulation occur according to the Synactive Theory of Development?
when demands are within the infant’s current developmental expectations, organized, self-regulatory behaviors are observed
what are the channels of communication within the Synactive Theory of Development?
- Automatic
- respiration pattern
- color
- visceral signals
Automatic subsystem signs of self regulatory behaviors
- smooth respiration
- good, stable color
- stable digestion
T/F: if a baby has a bowel movement during therapy this is a sign of stress
Generally TRUE
but it depends, if it occurs during stretching can be normal, if it is a response to therapy it may be stress
Automatic subsystem signs of stress/disorganized behaviors
- seizures
- respiratory pauses
- color changes to mottled, webbed, cyanotic, gray, flushed
- gagging, gasping
- spitting up
- hiccups
- straining or actually producing a bowel movement
- tremors, startling, twitching
- coughing
- sneezing
- yawning
- sighing
what are channels of communication within the motor subsystem?
- tone
- posture
- movement
motor subsystem self-regulation behaviors are generally described as
- smooth, well-modulated posture and well-regulated tone
- synchronous smooth movements with efficient motor strategies
give examples of synchronous smooth movements with efficient motor strategies
- hand clasp
- foot clasp
- finger fold
- hand-to-mouth or face maneuvers
- grasping
- suck searching and sucking
- hand holding
- tucking
- leg bracing
what is tucking?
moving into flexion
what is leg bracing?
pushing leg against something
Give examples of motor subsystem signs of stress/disorganized behaviors
- motor flaccidity or “tuning out” of:
- the trunk, extremities or face (gape face)
- Motor hypertonicity with extension of:
- trunk (arching, opisthodomos)
- legs (sitting on air, leg bracing)
- arms (airplane; salute)
- hands and feet (splays)
- face (grimacing and tongue extension)
what is opisthotonus?
arching to the extreme
Motor subsystem signs of stress/disorganized behaviors cont.
- motor hypertonicity with:
- protective maneuvers
- hand on face
- high guard arm position
- hyperflexion
- fisting
- trunk and extremities (fetal tuck)
- protective maneuvers
- frantic, diffuse activity
Channels of communication within the State and Attention subsystem
- deep sleep
- light sleep
- drowsy (transition to alert or sleep)
- alert
- active alert
- cry
what are you generally looking for when addressing the state subsystem?
- range of states
- state clarity
- transition patterns
State subsystem self-regulatory behaviors
- clear robust sleep states
- rhythmical robust crying
- good self quieting and/or consolability
- robust, focused, shiny-eyed alertness with intent and/or animated facial expression
give examples of animated facial expressions that are signs of self-regulation
- frowning
- cheek softening
- mouth pursing to “ooh” face
- cooing
- attentional smiling
State subsystem signs of stress/disorganized behaviors
- diffuse sleep or awake states with whimpering sounds, facial twitches and discharge smiling
- strained fussing or crying
- panicked or worried alertness
- glassy-eyed strained alertness
- irritability and diffuse arousal
- rapid state oscillations
- crying
- eye floating; staring; active gaze averting
