Terry K. Crowe

VESTIBULAR FUNCTION AND MOTOR PROFICIENCY OF CHILDREN WITH IMPAIRED HEARING, OR WITH LEARNING DISABILITY AND MOTOR IMPAIRMENTS

Vestibular status and motor proficiency of 30 hearing‐impaired and 15 motor‐impaired learning‐disabled children were documented to determine whether vestibular loss can account for deficits in motor co‐ordination. Vestibular loss was differentiated from sensory organization deficits by means of VOR and postural orientation test results, which were compared with those of 54 normal seven‐to 12‐year‐olds. Reduced or absent vestibular function in 20 hearing‐impaired children did not affect development of motor proficiency, except in specific balance activities. However, sensory organization deficits in the learning‐disabled group and in three of the hearing‐impaired children were associated with widespread deficits in motor proficiency.

Transient Neurologic Signs in Infancy and Motor Outcomes at 4 1/2 Years in Children Born Biologically At Risk

This study was designed to investigate the effects of transient neurologic signs evident in infancy on motor outcomes in 41/2-year-old children born biologically at risk. Children who appeared neurologically normal at each of the 4-month, 12-month, and 24-month visits in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Follow-Up Clinic were assigned to the neurologically normal (NN) group (n = 42). Children who appeared to have neuromotor abnormalities at either or both the 4-month and 12-month visits, and who were then rated as “normal” at the 24-month visit, were assigned to the transient neurological signs (TNS) group (n = 19). The groups were compared on motor and cognitive measures at the 41/2-year clinic visit. No significant differences between groups were found except on the measure of pencil prehension, in which the TNS group scored significantly lower (p < .01) than the NN group. A more thorough assessment of fine motor skills at the preschool level may be indicated when following the neurodevelopmental course of children born biologically at risk.

Accepted and Controversial Neuromotor Therapies for Infants at High Risk for Cerebral Palsy

Neuromotor therapies are prescribed frequently for infants at high risk for cerebral palsy or other central nervous system (CNS) disorders. Based on the concept of early CNS plasticity, neuromotor therapies are important components of early intervention programs. The purposes of this review article are (1) to describe five neuromotor therapies commonly used in the United States, Europe, and the Far East; (2) to briefly present research results of efficacy studies using these various therapies; (3) to discuss similarities and differences among the various approaches; (4) to highlight controversies surrounding some of these approaches; and (5) to present suggestions for future research on examining efficacy of early neuromotor therapy.

A Comparison of Occupational Therapy Practice in Rural and Urban School Systems.

This study compares rural and urban occupational therapy practice in school systems. Two hundred and fifty-two occupational therapists in the Northwest region of the United States were surveyed. Service delivery mechanisms, caseloads, continuing education, and academic preparation were issues of concern, especially for rural therapists. Implications for future occupational therapy practice in rural school systems are discussed.