IMPROVEMENTS IN DELAYED SPEECH, MOTOR ACTIVITY AND BEHAVIOR IN A 5-YEAR-OLD MALE

Abstract

Event Abstract Back to Event IMPROVEMENTS IN DELAYED SPEECH, MOTOR ACTIVITY AND BEHAVIOR IN A 5-YEAR-OLD MALE Susan E. Esposito1* and Linda Mullin Elkins1 1 Life University, United States Background: Parents of a 5-year-old male brought him to a university functional neurology clinic with concerns regarding his lack of normal and expected proficiency in speech, motor activity and behavior for a child of his age. His parents reported that he suffered from severe constipation and he had difficulties with balance and coordination. They reported that he had not be diagnosed or assessed for pervasive development disorder, despite possessing many of the common symptoms, such as his lack of attention and aversion to being touched or touching others. Methods: On examination the patient was unable to attend to any stimulation for more than a few seconds at a time and avoided all physical contact. On ophthalmic exam his V:A ratio was 2.5:1 on the right and 3:1 left. He had a sluggish constriction to light and was photophobic and phonophobic. Optokinetic testing revealed nystagmus that was poor in all directions and absent to downward stimulus. There was a hyposensitivity to pinwheel testing on the left side of his body with decreased myotactic reflex. He was unable to sustain a tandem stance with either foot in the posterior position. He was unable to complete the entire Computerized Dynamic Posturography (CDP) testing due to imbalance and difficulty following directions. Results: After five consecutive full days of treatment including off-vertical-axis vestibular rehabilitation, specific eye exercises, targeting and complex movement therapy, he was able to follow directions and complete CDP testing. His stability score on a flat surface with eyes open improved from 48 to 71. He had the ability to balance in a tandem stance for 16 seconds. Constipation, photophobia and phonophobia were completely resolved. His V:A ratio was 2:1 bilaterally. Optokinetics were present and improved in all directions. He was able to sustain eye contact for several seconds at a time. Motor skills, feeling sensation, reflex response and gait all showed marked improvement. He was now able to button and unbutton his shirt, which he was previously unable to do. His speech was clearer and understandable and he initiated hand holding with his parents for the first time in his life. Conclusion: Development delays in children can have devastating effects on the entire family. The positive outcomes that were appreciated in this case warrant further research in this area of treatment. Keywords: Functional Neurology, Pervasive developmental disorder, Dysmetria, Speech Therapy, Chiropractic Conference: International Symposium on Clinical Neuroscience: TBI and Neurodegeneration, Orlando, Florida, United States, 10 Dec - 14 Dec, 2015. Presentation Type: Poster Presentation Topic: Case Reports for Poster Presentation Citation: Esposito SE and Mullin Elkins L (2015). IMPROVEMENTS IN DELAYED SPEECH, MOTOR ACTIVITY AND BEHAVIOR IN A 5-YEAR-OLD MALE. Front. Neurol. Conference Abstract: International Symposium on Clinical Neuroscience: TBI and Neurodegeneration. doi: 10.3389/conf.fneur.2015.58.00002 Copyright: The abstracts in this collection have not been subject to any Frontiers peer review or checks, and are not endorsed by Frontiers. They are made available through the Frontiers publishing platform as a service to conference organizers and presenters. The copyright in the individual abstracts is owned by the author of each abstract or his/her employer unless otherwise stated. Each abstract, as well as the collection of abstracts, are published under a Creative Commons CC-BY 4.0 (attribution) licence (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) and may thus be reproduced, translated, adapted and be the subject of derivative works provided the authors and Frontiers are attributed. For Frontiers’ terms and conditions please see https://www.frontiersin.org/legal/terms-and-conditions. Received: 01 Nov 2015; Published Online: 02 Nov 2015. * Correspondence: Dr. Susan E Esposito, Life University, Marietta, United States, susanesposito@gmail.com Login Required This action requires you to be registered with Frontiers and logged in. To register or login click here. Abstract Info Abstract The Authors in Frontiers Susan E Esposito Linda Mullin Elkins Google Susan E Esposito Linda Mullin Elkins Google Scholar Susan E Esposito Linda Mullin Elkins PubMed Susan E Esposito Linda Mullin Elkins Related Article in Frontiers Google Scholar PubMed Abstract Close Back to top Javascript is disabled. Please enable Javascript in your browser settings in order to see all the content on this page.