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Timing Vs Quality
Normal or ‘physiological’ development can be viewed in two ways:
- Timing and sequence
- Quality
Most people are familiar with the fact that the timing and sequence of development is important. This is generally assessed by looking at common milestones; babies begin to lift their heads when they are on their tummies at around 6 weeks, roll from back to front around 6 months, crawl at 9 months, and should do so in that order.
The QUALITY of these patterns, however, often goes unrecognised – but this is an extremely important aspect of development as the quality of the developmental process strongly influences the quality of body posture and structure for the rest of the person’s life.
These changes can be subtle and can happen independently of traditional milestones i.e. a baby may hit all milestones on time but do so with less than optimal quality. If there is a disruption in timing there will almost certainly be a disruption in quality.
Poor quality development
Here you can see an immature or ‘poor’ pattern of stabilisation in both baby and adult. Note the similar pattern in both pictures – sagging lower back, elevated shoulders and jutting of the chin (red arrows).
Left Picture from: Kolar, P. (2014). Clinical Rehabilitation. Alena Kobesová
Good quality development
Here you can see a matured or ‘good’ pattern of stabilisation in both baby and adult. Note the similar pattern in both pictures – neutral position of low back and head, shoulders depressed (green arrows).
Left Picture from: Kolar, P. (2014). Clinical Rehabilitation. Alena Kobesová
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