Components of Typical and Atypical Motor Development by Lois Bly

Author:Lois Bly [Bly, Lois]
Language: eng
Format: azw3
Publisher: Neuro-Developmental Treatment Association
Published: 2011-05-01T04:00:00+00:00

ATYPICAL DEVELOPMENT IN BODY REGIONS: HEAD AND NECK CONTROL

This discussion is divided into two sections:

• NECK HYPEREXTENSION

• HEAD AND NECK ASYMMETRY

NECK HYPEREXTENSION Typical

In typical motor development, the newborn can lift and turn his head against gravity in prone. In supine, the baby can bring his head to midline and briefly maintain it there.13Symmetrical flexion of the head with sustained tucking of the chin is not typically observed until three to four months of life.

Head lifting in prone is usually accomplished with asymmetry and neck hyperextension until three to four months of age. By four months of age, the baby can maintain his head in midline during prone forearm weight bearing.4The head and neck can be maintained in symmetry when the head and neck flexor muscles balance the head and neck extensor muscles.

Combined and reciprocal action of the head and neck extensor muscles and flexor muscles is necessary for typical development of head control.(See Typical Motor Development (TMD) Figures 3.1, 3.2, 4.1, 4.2 and 4.2b)

Atypical

In atypical motor development, neither the head/neck extensor muscles nor the head/neck flexor muscles achieve symmetrical activation. Consequently, the baby cannot bring his head to the midline and hold it there and he cannot tuck his chin in supine and/or prone forearm propping. It seems to be especially difficult for the baby to flex the head and neck.

The baby may use strong asymmetrical head/neck extension to initiate movements in all positions (supine, prone, sitting and standing). He lacks ability to chin-tuck (capital flexion) during head lifting.

Older children with cerebral palsy continue to lift their head with asymmetrical head and neck hyperextension. (Figure AMD 1)

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