The ABC of ABR – D – Development
The ABC of ABR – D – Development
During a child’s development, it can be dangerous to ask questions such as “Will my child be doing this… at 3 months?” or “Will he/she be there at 6 months or 1 year?” etc. These questions tend to pay attention only to achieving an outcome of function.
Our main question has to be: “Is my child using the right strategies?”. We have to pay attention to the long-term strategy through which a child is using to achieve the function and not just the outcome of functions.
Let’s use the example of the straw hut and the skyscraper to better understand this statement:
Until a child is 5 years old, he or she can be compared to a straw hut. What this means is the child is small, light and the proportions are simple.
Babies and toddlers start using movement intelligence which means they will progress, even if they have an unhealthy strategy.In the phase of the straw hut, not having an architectural plan will not cause major problems. Also, for a straw hut, we don’t build the foundations first. We don’t think about how the elevators are going to work. The only thing we need to think about is how will the straw hut going to hold?
However, at the age of 5, children start to grow fast and the proportions start to change quickly. We then realise movement intelligence will not be enough anymore.
So instead of the straw hut, they will need a stronger house with more floors to hold the weight and growth. Otherwise the house will collapse. That’s why we need to build a skyscraper.
The GMFCS-curve
When we take a look at the GMFCS-curve, we see that same evolution.
Until the age of 5, every child makes progress. But at age 7- almost all children reach a plateau. Furthermore, the children on level III, IV or V, even lose more functions at a later age.That’s why ABR Therapy seeks to change the long-term strategy. ABR wants to maximize your child’s own development. We aim to make sure that that your child has the best foundations in order to get more freedom. Also, to unlock more functions.
