3 keys to boost its evaluative power
Yes, I guess you already know this.
To assess motor and postural development in infants, the Alberta Infant Motor Scale (AIMS) is one of the most recognized tools.
You’ve got an online course to learn how to apply the scale, with plenty of detail on motor development and intervention strategies.
Here it is, available this month only. It disappears at the end of April.
Sure, it has weak spots too. Especially its unsuitability for assessing infants with brain injury.
But it has some serious strengths.
- Wide applicability – up to around 15 months. This lets you follow motor development without having to switch scales, which can be a pain when it comes to comparing motor performance. For example, the Test of Infant Motor Performance (TIMP) is amazing, but once the baby is 4 months and a day old, you’re supposed to switch. How are you going to compare results then?
- Highly visual – it scores images that match the baby’s behavior. That makes it simple. You can even use a video recorded at home. Parents can even help verify an item.
- Very useful in musculoskeletal conditions like congenital torticollis or plagiocephaly. There are loads of papers using the Alberta Scale to assess motor development in these babies.
- It can be applied to preterm infants. Many studies have looked into its reliability in this clinical context, and it’s been validated in many countries.
But here’s the thing.
On its own, a scale doesn’t let you make decisions. The scale simply (which is no small thing when we’re talking about objectivity) confirms that the baby isn’t doing what a baby that age is supposed to be doing.
So yeah, the Alberta Scale is great, but it’s not enough.
You need more.
Here are a few evaluation keys that will take you much further when using the scale.
Assess the baby’s cognitive function
Cognitive function definitely influences prognosis. It’s one of the core aspects of neurodevelopment.
How can you assess it?
Several signs can give you insight here. Visual attention is one of the key indicators of cognitive function. You can test it with objects or high-contrast black-and-white patterns. A fixation lasting over 3 seconds, along with smooth tracking and an observable sense of ‘intent’ or ‘desire,’ is a great sign for optimism.
Watch for compensatory or excessive patterns
When evaluating motor development, you need to identify motor patterns that are ineffective or may indicate dysfunction.
Excessive extension patterns – like a baby arching too much to roll or lifting their feet too high in prone – might suggest neuro-meningeal tension, which could limit the core stability needed to build posture.
Excessive use of one side of the body, or inhibition on the other side, could indicate neuromusculoskeletal or neurological issues. For example, a brachial plexus injury might result in the arm being held closer to the body, with an inward-forward posture compared to the other side.
This point is crucial when it comes to designing effective interventions.
Assess the neuromusculoskeletal system – and not just that…
Evaluation of joints, neurodynamics, and tissues is a definite weak point in traditional pediatric physiotherapy.
You can’t skip it.
In fact, the key to effective intervention lies in aligning motor findings with neuromusculoskeletal evaluation. That’s the essence of PIMT.
You need to assess cervical and lumbar mobility in detail. Hip alignment, thorax position, the shape of the occiput – all of it matters.
And don’t forget the respiratory and gastroesophageal side of things – which we emphasize as essential in PIMT – because these can impact core stability, and therefore lead to a much poorer motor and postural development.
If you want more, you can check out the course Motor Development Assessment here.
Remember, it’s only available until the end of April.
Or check out the book Motor Assessment of the Developing Infant by Piper and Darrah, here. An absolute gem!
Good luck!!
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