Postural reactions in infants with Down syndrome. Relationship to motor milestone development and age.

I examined the emergence of automatic postural reactions (righting, equilibrium, and protective reactions) in a group of infants with Down syndrome and in a developmentally matched group of nonhandicapped infants. I assessed the relationship of postural reactions to chronological age and to motor milestone development (as measured by the Bayley Scales of Infant Development). The relationship of postural reactions to chronological age was weaker in the infants with Down syndrome; a regression analysis revealed a slower rate of postural reaction development evident at an age of about five months and older in infants with Down syndrome. The association between postural reactions and motor milestone performance was remarkably similar for both infant groups in degree of association and pattern across the span of motor development tested. The results indicated that, even though the rate of development differed, the association between postural reactions and motor milestones was similar in normal and delayed development. These results support the current rationale that promotes intervention efforts focusing on the facilitation of postural reactions to enhance motor milestone development in infants with Down syndrome.