Developmental Progression of Motor Skills in Children Prenatally Exposed to Cocaine

Abstract

This study tested the motor development of 73 infants who were prenatally exposed to cocaine using the Peabody Developmental Motor Scales at 6, 12, 18, and 24 months of age. Repeated measures MANOVA found a main effect for age with scores decreasing as children increased in age. The significant interactive effect between age and skill type indicated that fine motor quotient scores decreased more than the comparable gross motor scores. T-tests showed significant differences between the two skill types: fine motor skills were higher at the first two testing periods and lower at the last two periods. This article discusses the nature of the delays at specified age periods and the implications for future assessment and programming.

Key Words:

• Cocaine
• motor skills
• infants and toddlers

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Angelika H. Claussen

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.

Aviva Yochman, MA, OTR, was a student in the School of Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel at the time of this study.

Imelda Burgman, MA OTR/L BCP, completed her MA in Movement Sciences at Teachers College, Columbia University, and was an Occupational Therapist at The Shield Institute, Bronx, NY. She is currently Lecturer, Habilitation, School of Community Health, Faculty of Health Studies, Charles Sturt University, Albury, N.S.W., Australia.