Trajectories of Motor Development

Abstract

The motor development of in utero polydrug exposed and unexposed infants was longitudinally studied at 1, 4, 7 and 15 months using a combination of the Alberta Infant Motor Scale (AIMS), Movement Assessment of Infants (MAI) and the Peabody Developmental Motor Scale (PDMS). The Prone and Standing subscores of the AIMS were significantly different at 7 months. The Primitive Reflex subscore of the MAI was significantly different at 7 months. None of the other subscores at this age or at the other ages was significantly different. The groups did not differ significantly on the PDMS at 15 months. The effect size (ES) for both the AIMS and the MAI increased with age, changing from a small to a large ES between 1 and 7 months. The ES for the PDMS-Gross Motor was negligible and for the PDMS-Fine Motor small/medium at 15 months. Compromised motor performance is due to a complex interaction of multiple constraints affected by in utero polydrug exposure and poverty including muscle strength and tone, body mass, nervous system, task demands, motivation, goals and intentions, developmental changes and environmental exposures.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Linda Fetters

Michael Lepp, PT, is in private practice, Associate Instructor of the Upledger Institute, and Clinical Instructor, Case Western Reserve University School of Dentistry, Cleveland, OH.

Marie McKenzie, MS, OTR, is in private practice. She was Coordinator of Occupational Therapy at Scottish Rite Hospital at the time of this study.

Heather Miller, MS, OTR/L, is currently employed by Madison County Educational Service Center, providing therapy services to the county's pre-schools. This research was completed in partial fulfillment of the requirements of an MS degree at Ohio State University.

Linda Viscardis, BA, is Team Leader and Community Development Worker, Peterborough Family Enrichment Centre. She is Co-Founder of P.R.O.S.P.E.C.T.S., a support and advocacy group for families who have children with special needs.

Debra Stewart, BSc, OT(C), is Occupational Therapist, Erinoak, Serving Young People with Physical Disabilities, Mississauga, ON, and Clinical Lecturer, School of Rehabilitation Science, McMaster University.

Janette McDougall, MA, was Project Coordinator

Kip Husted, BEd, was a parent representative on the study team.