Normal Motor Development Flashcards
What are the theories of motor development?
Neuromaturational theory, dynamic systems theory, neuronal group selection theory
What is a central pattern generator?
CPG; neural networks that can produce rhythmic patterned outputs without rhythmic sensory or central input. (Underlie walking, chewing, infantile kicking, etc)
Primary tenets of the neuromaturational theory
Unfolding of predetermined patterns, supported but not fundamentally altered by the environment.
Progressive hierarchical changes in the CNS
Movement initially reflexive in nature
Cephalocaudal and proximal to distal development
Development must progress through a specific set sequence
Pediatric physical therapy initially developed according to which model?
Neuromaturational
What are primitive reflexes?
Brainstem mediated, complex, automatic movement patterns some of which are present from 28 weeks gestation, with CNS maturation they are harder and harder to elicit when voluntary motor activity and cortical inhibition emerge and take over.
Stereotypical patterns, elicited by specific sensory stimuli.
What theory is the basis for current pediatric physical therapy?
Dynamic Systems Theory
Basic tenets of dynamic systems theory
Cooperation among many subsystems within task specific context
Each system develops at own rate and is constrained or supported by physical and environmental factors.
Assess the subsystems, the environment and the task.
Series of states of stability, instability followed by reorg, and transition to new patterns of movement
Basic tenets of neuronal group selection theory
brain dynamically organized into variable networks the structure and function of which are selected by development and behavior.
Functional units are neuronal groups: collections of strongly interconnected neurons.
Afferent information produced by behavior and experience modifies the strength of the synaptic contacts allowing for situation specific selection.
3 requirements for neuronal group selection
basic repertoire of movement
availability of sensory information to identify and select adaptive forms of movement
means to strengthen the preferred movement response.s
What is a central pattern generator?
neural networks that produce rhythmic patterned outputs without rhythmic sensory or central input. (walking chewing infantile kicking)
Who had the behavioral perspective?
Skinner
What is the behavioral perspective?
the individual is reactive and is subject to influence by external stimulation. Environment is key in that persons behavior.
consequences of behavior determine its fate - positive and negative reinforcement
Who had the theory of cognitive development?
Piaget
What is the theory of cognitive development?
emphasizes an interaction between maturation of cognitive-neural structures and environmental opportunities to promote action. 4 stages
What are the 4 stages of the theory of cognitive development?
Sensorimotor
Pre-operational
Period of concrete operations
Formal operations
What was the impact of the Piagetian theory on pediatric physical therapy?
Primarily the inclusion of problem solving activities in therapeutic programs to assist in the cognitive-motivational aspect of facilitating motor development
What is the sensorimotor stage
birth-2 yr: child learns through sensory and motor experiences, discoveries by trial and error, repetition of activities is important at this stage.
What is the pre-operational stage
2-6 years: child begins to use symbols, development of language. Things seem very real.
What is the period of concreete operations stage
7-11 years: develops ability to classify objects according to characteristics - child can solve concrete problems in the here and now
What is the formal operations stage
2 yr- adult: able to deal with hypothetical and real situations, can think in abstract terms and consider possibilities, don’t have to see things to solve problems. Can think about possibilities/consequences.
What are the areas of development that assessments try to evaluate?
social/emotional, language/communication, cognitive, motor
Neonate motor development
physiological flexion, turn head side to side, muscle control in sagittal plane –> then frontal, extensors develop first. Obligatory nose/diaphragm breathers, phonation begins with birth cry. Child will react/startle to loud noises.
What is the neonate breathing rate?
40-60 breaths per minute
One month motor development
reduced physiologic flexion, pelvis may be down/flat, hands tend to be fisted
Two month motor development
Appears disorganized d/t dec. phys flex and inc. ext which isn’t balanced with antigravity control of flexion. Extension not balanced yet with flexion.
ATNR strong, astasia/abasia, labyrinthe righting, optical righting, cooing, moro reflex
Primary stepping and automatic walking reflexes gone.
What are astasia and abasia?
motor incoordination for standing/walking
Three month motor development
beginning of symmetry and midline orientation, hands to mouth/midline, prop on forearms in prone, rolls to side, beginning to weight shift, hands unfisted 50% of time