| Description |
Cognition, perception, and action are inextricably linked and emerge together during development, driven by infants' active exploration of the physical and social world. This is the theory of the embodied mind. As a result, the ability to bang an object builds language, development of sitting drives visual perceptual development. and crawling and walking drive a variety of cognitive and social changes. This realization has significant clinical impact, considering that movement impairments place children at risk for general developmental delays. Alternatively, any gains in movement abilities allow for potential gains across development. This session will examine the interaction of the developing mind and the developing motor system and introduce strategies to capitalize on the embodied mind to provide enhanced intervention. The speakers will present comprehensive evidence for the inclusion of the embodied mind perspective in clinical practice, including key principles that are useful to advance developmental intervention. Specific tasks ranging from sitting and reaching, to language and gesture, to power mobility and socialization will be highlighted. Application to developmental disorders such as cerebral palsy, autism, and spina bifida, and implications for assessment, goal-setting, and intervention strategies will be discussed.
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