Neuro-Developmental Treatment Frame of Reference

Biomechanical Frame of Reference for Positioning Children for Function

• The Biomechanical frame of reference for positioning children for function is applied to individuals who are unable to maintain posture from appropriate automatic muscle activity caused by neuromuscular or musculoskeletal dysfunction. The goals of this frame of reference are (1) to enhance development of postural reactions, which can be done by reducing the demands of gravity and aligning the body, and (2) to improve functional performance by providing external support for proximal stability to improve distal function.

Frame of Reference for Development of Handwriting Skills

• This frame of reference identifies functions and dysfunctions in five areas of handwriting for children, including proximal posture, components, use of writing tools, grasp, and handwriting. Good proximal control is required for functional and effective distal control of the writing tools. Either excessive postural stability or lack of postural stability during writing tasks is considered as dysfunctions. Components including ocular-motor skills, attention, and memory are considered as essential.

Frame of Reference for Motor Skill Acquisition

• Acquiring motor skill is a process that requires practices, feedback, and involvement of the learner. This frame of reference employs several principles from learning theory. It focuses on the child’s ability, characteristics of the task, skills required, environment, and regulatory conditions. Regulatory conditions are aspects of the environment that determine movement specifics, which are described in a continuum between closed and open tasks.

Dynamic Systems Theory Model of Visual Perception Development

• The dynamic system theory model of visual perception aims to facilitate practitioners in understanding the development of visual perception from a dynamic systems theory perspective. This model views vision and ocular motor abilities as a part (instead of the foundation) of the complex interaction of components of the experience of vision.

Framework of Occupational Gradation (FOG)

• The Framework of Occupational Gradation (FOG) focuses on one’s active movements with the more involved upper extremity. There are two versions of FOG, one for young children (C-FOG) and one for older children and adults (A-FOG). Both aim to provide occupational ideas in preventing learned non-use of the more involved upper extremity for clients with neurological impairment. These ideas can be incorporated into daily lives to increase use of the extremity. Appropriateness of task for each client is determined by hand dominance and perceived meaningfulness.