This study investigated the ability of the Neonatal Behavioral Assessment Scale (NBAS), in combination with neonatal histories and developmental assessments, to predict mental and motor performance of 9-month-old infants on the Bayley Scales of Infant Development (BSID). Fourteen normal, full-term infants and 10 average-for-gestational-age,…

The underlying theme of this review is that fine motor assessment for skills acquired during the first year of life includes a description of the coordination of reach and grasp behaviors into functional understanding, purposeful retention of an object, and manipulatian. The developmental sequence of these responses is listed in various…

The project used multiple adaptive methods and teaching procedures to reinforce school mobility skills for seven severely handicapped secondary students. Student ambulation became more functional when present skills were reinforced by sequential teaching with daily practice. (CL)

An eight-year-old autistic boy improved his communication and behavior skills after three months in a treatment program using walking rails and focusing on body awareness activities designed to reduce autistic movements. (CL)

Nine mildly retarded children (6-11 years old) participated in a physical finess program with individualized goals. Results revealed a significant increase in walk/run distances covered daily and satisfaction with the program expressed by parents as well as participants. (CL)

This study was submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Ed.D. degree at the University of California, Berkeley.

The Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency was evaluated to determine test-retest reliability and if there were presensitizing effects at retest for four- to five-year olds. Test reliability was significantly high. No significant test sensitization of the short form to retesting with the short form or subtests was found. (Author/RD)

Definitions and factors of motor development are considered, and research on motor development in the mentally retarded child is discussed. (SB)

A theoretical frame of rhythm in skilled performance phenomena is presented, arguing that a motor system can produce movements that realize given time scales. Skilled movement is teleological; its timing is an internal schedule of target motor events arranged by the motor system for economy and expressiveness. (Author/CM)

Results indicated that Down's syndrome children are delayed in their language development compared to nonretarded children of the same developmental age. This language delay appears to be related to deficiencies in vocal imitation skills but is not related to general sensorimotor functioning. (Author)

A physician examines five noneducational factors (body chemistry, motor function, vision, allergy and infection, and social influences) which affect the nature of handicapped children. (CL)

A device for use in a motor learning laboratory is described. (MM)

Five resistive activities (activities which integrate symmetric tonic neck reflex and facilitate learning) for use with problem learners are briefly described. Reports on using resistive activities with learning disabled children are offered. (SBH)