Reducing occurrences of an asymmetrical tonic neck reflex.
A custom-designed foam rubber headpiece was used during lunch with a multiply handicapped child to reduce the occurrences of an asymmetrical tonic neck reflex. After the inappropriate reflex was inhibited, the apparatus was gradually faded out by cutting away sections of the rubber. Ultimately, the headpiece was completely eliminated and the asymmetrical tonic neck reflex maintained a zero level of occurrence during lunch periods. Concomitantly, there was an increase in correct bites of food.
D001521:Behavior Therapy / Q000295:instrumentation; D001925:Brain Damage, Chronic / Q000628:therapy; D002648:Child; D004495:Education of Persons with Intellectual Disabilities; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007360:Intelligence; D009119:Muscle Contraction; D009129:Muscle Tonus; D009132:Muscles; D009334:Neck Muscles; D012021:Reflex, Abnormal / Q000628:therapy*