SPED 417/517Atypical Sensory and Motor Development

Atypical Sensory-Motor DevelopmentMuscle tone is abnormalPrimitive reflexes persistPostural control and movement are difficultPositioning and handling problems lead to orthopedic problemsFunctional skill development is interrupted

Sensory-Motor InterventionsCreating interventions based on sensory qualitiesCreating interventions based on motor qualities

Frames of ReferenceNeurodevelopmentalSensory IntegrativeBehavioralCognitiveDevelopmentalAdaptive approachesOtherJoint mobilizationMyofacial release techniquesCraniosacral therapy

Westling & Fox Chapter 13Atypical sensory responsesLimited experience with touch input leading to tactile defensiveness Inappropriate proprioceptive input due to tone differences impacting movementDifficulty processing vestibular input leading to difficulty with position changesRestricted diets interfere in taste experiences leading to resistance with tastes and smellsIntervention techniquesModify sensory inputs from environmentProvide sensory inputs as needed

Westling & Fox Chapter 13Abnormal muscle toneAffects ability to produce controlled muscle contractionsInterferes in posture and movementIntervention techniquesInhibition and facilitationEnvironment and physiologymedicationenvironmental visual & auditory inputsinteractionsfatigue & mood

Westling & Fox Chapter 13Primitive reflexesAsymmetrical tonic neck reflex (ATNR)Symmetrical tonic neck reflex (STNR)Tonic labyrinthine reflex (TLR)Intervention techniquesavoid positions which trigger responsefacilitate opposing posturesnormalize tone

Westling & Fox Chapter 13Posture and movementCycle of development of abnormal movementTone differenceDifficulty sustaining body alignmentProximal adjustmentsCompensatory movement patternsStereotypical posture & movementChange in muscle lengthOrthopedic changes

Westling & Fox Chapter 13Intervention techniquesPositioningRemedialCompensatoryHandlingNormalizing toneFacilitating normal postures

Atypical DevelopmentProneSupineSittingStandingWalkingAll-foursOral-motorUpper bodyGeneral mobility

Development of proneToneQuality Quantity

Dysfunctionincreased, decreased, fluctuating tonefluidity, efficiency, effortalignment, adaptability

Affected life taskslimited sleeping positionsdecreased play optionslimit development of trunk controlinterfere with mobility development

Development of supineToneQuality Quantity

Dysfunctionincreased, decreased, fluctuating tonefluidity, efficiency, effortalignment, adaptability

Affected life taskslimited sleeping optionsdecreased play positionslimited opportunity for use of handsinterferes with development of general mobility

sittingToneQuality Quantity

Dysfunctionincreased, decreased, fluctuating tonefluidity, efficiency, effortalignment, adaptability

Affected life tasksdecreased overall independencelimited play optionsinterferes with daily caresimpacts social interactionsinterferes with development of attention and learning

StandingToneQuality Quantity

Dysfunctionincreased, decreased, fluctuating tonefluidity, efficiency, effortalignment, adaptability

Affected life tasksdecreased overall independencelimits mobility preparationdecreases access to environmentimpacts growth and development

walkingToneQuality Quantity

Dysfunctionincreased, decreased, fluctuating tonefluidity, efficiency, effortalignment, adaptability

Affected life taskslimits overall independence in daily tasksdecreased mobilitylimits play optionsinterferes with personal interactionlack of exploration

all-foursToneQuality Quantity

Dysfunctionincreased, decreased, fluctuating tonefluidity, efficiency, effortalignment, adaptability

Affected life tasksimpacts development of postural controldecrease mobilitylimits play optionslimits explorationlimits sensory opportunities

oral-motorToneQuality Quantity

Dysfunctionincreased, decreased, fluctuating tonefluidity, efficiency, effortalignment, adaptability

Affected life tasksimpacts daily nutritioninterferes with sensory explorationimpacts development of communicationaffects personality and social interactions

upper bodyToneQuality Quantity

Dysfunctionincreased, decreased, fluctuating tonefluidity, efficiency, effortalignment, adaptability

Affected life taskslack of exploration of environmentdecreased dexterity and bilateral controllimits play skills and learning potentialinterferes with daily life tasks

general mobilityToneQuality Quantity

Dysfunctionincreased, decreased, fluctuating tonefluidity, efficiency, effortalignment, adaptability

Affected life tasksaffects independenceinterferes with play skillslimits exploration of environmentlimits transitionsimpacts development of postural control

ApplicationConsider routine taskHow does difference in tone affect task?How does quality of movement affect task?How does quantity of movement options affect task?