Disturbances in the Motor Behaviour of Children with Down's Syndrome: The need for a theoretical framework

Abstract

Summary A theoretical framework has been developed concerning the specific motor problems of Down's syndrome children on the basis of a review of disturbances in the system of postural control which occur in the various phases of their motor development. The reduced postural tone, manifest in each child, plays a key role by adversely influencing co-contraction and balance reactions. The lack of postural control is further exacerbated by inadequate proprioceptive feedback on posture and movement and by an increased mobility of the joints. This leads to problems in adopting and maintaining positions and for movement. Consequently, qualitative aspects of motor skills are insufficiently developed, thereby reducing the goal-directedness of posture and movement. Characteristic features of children with Down's syndrome are static and symmetrical movement patterns, compensatory strategies of movements, and a lack of variability of movement patterns. A theoretical framework has been developed concerning the specific motor problems of Down's syndrome children on the basis of a review of disturbances in the system of postural control which occur in the various phases of their motor development. The reduced postural tone, manifest in each child, plays a key role by adversely influencing co-contraction and balance reactions. The lack of postural control is further exacerbated by inadequate proprioceptive feedback on posture and movement and by an increased mobility of the joints. This leads to problems in adopting and maintaining positions and for movement. Consequently, qualitative aspects of motor skills are insufficiently developed, thereby reducing the goal-directedness of posture and movement. Characteristic features of children with Down's syndrome are static and symmetrical movement patterns, compensatory strategies of movements, and a lack of variability of movement patterns.