The diploma thesis is focused on psychomotor development in children with cerebral palsy in context of persisting primitive reflexes. Opening chapters summarize theoretical knowledge about cerebral palsy, its etiology, clinical picture, forms and comprehensive diagnostics, including special education. The next part of the thesis focuses on psychomotor development of a child with cerebral palsy, in particular the gross and fine motor activity development and speech development. The main section of the thesis discusses the neurophysiological principles of primitive reflexes and their relevance for early development of a child. The primitive reflexes, one by one, as well as the influence of their persistence on the psychomotor development of the child with cerebral palsy and options of their integration by selected therapeutic concepts are presented. Attention is also paid to the importance of multidisciplinary cooperation of medical rehabilitation and special pedagogical care in the field of primitive reflexology. The practical part is based on qualitative methodology ad its operates with data gained from three case studies. The aim of the diploma thesis is to examine by means of case studies whether or not the integration of primitive reflexes demonstrably improves the psychomotor skills, behavior,...

Title: The Use of Therasuit method on individuals with cerebral palsy Objectives: The main objective of the work is to observe a 4-week rehabilitation program according to the Therasuit method. Determine whether there will be changes in the area of gross motor skills and primitive reflexes, and to describe the individual course of the rehabilitation process in individual probands. Another objective is an evaluation of the therapeutic effect on the child's physical activities from the parents point of view. Methods: It is a mixed research method which contains an empirical-theoretical form of case sudies of 3 probands.The study included 2 boys and 1 girl aged 3, 4 and 7 years with a diagnosis of cerebral palsy, while in the first proband it occurs in the form of spastic diparesis, in the second one in the form of spastic hemiparesis, and in the third one in the form of spastic triparesis. The data collection methods used include input and output kinesiological analysis, qualitative observation of the rehabilitation process and a qualitative interview with a legal representative focused on the child's physical activities prior to and after rehabilitation. Results: We found that after 4-week rehabilitation according to the Therasuit method, all 3 probands improved their gross motor skills. In all 3...

Research on the Berard Auditory Integration Training method has shown improvement in the regulation of attention, activity and impulsivity of children whose auditory system have been re-trained. Anecdotal reports have found improvements in sleeping patterns, balance, allergies, eyesight, eating patterns, depression and other seemingly unrelated physiological states. During the Auditory Integration Training (AIT) procedure dynamic music, with a wide range of frequencies, is processed through a system of filters in the AIT device. The volume and tone of the music is constantly and randomly modulated. The researcher explored Berard AIT as a possible intervention for learners between the ages of six and twelve years, who experienced problems with sustained attention and who have difficulty in shifting their attention from task to task. The aim was to investigate if Berard AIT method would enable the learner to stay calm, relaxed yet alert, with focused attention and thus concentration with appropriate reflection before action. An experimental quantative study, with a pretest-posttest control group design, was conducted to investigate the effect that Berard Auditory Integration Training has on learners with attention problems. Checklists and different measurements were conducted before the training started and repeated three months after the training was completed, to monitor if any change in the way that the learners pay attention, occurred the case group of ten learners was compared with ten learners in a control group who did not initially receive the intervention. Although the results of the post-tests varied amongst the learners, most learners in the experimental group experienced a statistical significant increase in attention control and a reduction in behavioural problems by the third month following the listening sessions. / Thesis (M.Ed.), North-West University, Vaal Triangle Campus, 2010

Research on the Berard Auditory Integration Training method has shown improvement in the regulation of attention, activity and impulsivity of children whose auditory system have been re-trained. Anecdotal reports have found improvements in sleeping patterns, balance, allergies, eyesight, eating patterns, depression and other seemingly unrelated physiological states. During the Auditory Integration Training (AIT) procedure dynamic music, with a wide range of frequencies, is processed through a system of filters in the AIT device. The volume and tone of the music is constantly and randomly modulated. The researcher explored Berard AIT as a possible intervention for learners between the ages of six and twelve years, who experienced problems with sustained attention and who have difficulty in shifting their attention from task to task. The aim was to investigate if Berard AIT method would enable the learner to stay calm, relaxed yet alert, with focused attention and thus concentration with appropriate reflection before action. An experimental quantative study, with a pretest-posttest control group design, was conducted to investigate the effect that Berard Auditory Integration Training has on learners with attention problems. Checklists and different measurements were conducted before the training started and repeated three months after the training was completed, to monitor if any change in the way that the learners pay attention, occurred the case group of ten learners was compared with ten learners in a control group who did not initially receive the intervention. Although the results of the post-tests varied amongst the learners, most learners in the experimental group experienced a statistical significant increase in attention control and a reduction in behavioural problems by the third month following the listening sessions. / Thesis (M.Ed.), North-West University, Vaal Triangle Campus, 2010

The goal of this thesis is to contribute to discovering a method which can lead to objectification of support base of infants in prone position at the edge of third and fourth month. The motor development during first six months is described in this thesis based on literature search. Part of the thesis is dedicated to selected primitive reflexes and postural reactions. Furthermore, the work deals with objectification of support base of infants at the edge of third and fourth month. In the study were evaluated 10 infants (5 males and 5 females) with average age 14,01 ± 2,2 weeks. Distribution of support was assessed in three situations such as prone position, prone position with maximal rotation of head to the left and prone position with maximal rotation of head to the right. The results did not show significant difference in weight bearing the left and right upper extremity in prone position. However there was a significant difference in weight bearing in the upper extremities during head rotation. The upper extremity on the side of rotation was more loaded. The weight applied to the upper and lower extremities was significantly different in every evaluated situation. Upper extremities were always weighted more. Keywords Supporting base, developmental kinesiology, postural reactions, primitive...

Bibliography: leaves 149-178 / Anxiety Disorder is one of the most common disorders experienced by children and, if not managed, can extend into adulthood. Research has established a link between unintegrated primitive reflexes (UPR) and Learning Disorders. Learning Disorders are often co-morbid with symptoms of anxiety, however, the relationship between symptoms of anxiety and UPR have not been studied. This study aims to explore the relationship between the UPR and symptoms of anxiety in children between 10 – 13 years of age. No correlation was found between the total primitive reflex score and total symptoms of anxiety score; however, a significant relationship was found between symptoms of anxiety and the Moro, Plantar and Spinal Galant reflex. These UPR play an important role in balance. Research on balance dysfunction indicates a relationship with symptoms of anxiety. Prenatal maternal stress, common childhood illness and comorbidity with ADHD were also found to be factors in symptoms of anxiety in children. / Psychology / M.A. (Psychology)