OT-506- Occupational Development

Nature

in development, nature refers to the traits, capacities, and limitations that each individual inherits genetically from their parents at the moment of conception

Nurture

In development, nurture includes all of the environmental influences that affect the individual after conception. This includes everything from the mother’s nutrition while pregnant to the cultural influences in the nation

Plasticity

The potential for change, adaptation, and growth. Brain, body, and behavior are far more plastic than previously thought.

Critical Period

A crucial time when a particular type of developmental growth (in body or behavior) must happen for normal development to occur

Sensitive Period

A time when a certain type of development is most likely, although it may still happen later with more difficulty

Differential Susceptibility

The notion that people vary in how sensitive they are to particular environments. Sometimes, genetic differences make some people more vulnerable to risks than others. (Also called differential sensitivity.)

Interaction

When two or more things influence each other and lead to something that neither could have produced alone.

Intersectionality

People have many identities, each of which affects the others, sometimes for better, sometimes for worse, and always more complicated than belonging to a single group. The combination differs.

Socioeconomic status

A person’s position in society as determined by income, occupation, education, and place of residence. (Sometimes called social class.)

Adverse childhood experiences

Severe harmful events that children experience, such as abuse and neglect, or witness, such as parental drug abuse, divorce, mental illness, or incarceration.

Sleeper effect

 Influences on human development that are quiet at the beginning and then later have noticeable impact.

Bioecological Systems Theory

Each person is significantly affected by a number of overlapping systems, which provide the context for development. Immediate contexts have supporting networks and local structures, all of which are governed by cultural norms and situated in a historical era and in a developmental stage.

Biosystem, Microsystem, Mesosystem, Exosystem, Macrosystem, Chronosystem

Cohort

People born within the same historical period who therefore move through life together, experiencing the same events, new technologies, and cultural shifts at the same ages

Culture

Shared assumptions, norms, expectations, and beliefs that guide everyday interactions and behaviors.

Social Construction

An idea that is built on shared perceptions, not on objective reality. Many age-related terms (such as emerging adulthood, and senior citizen) are social constructions, connected to biological traits but strongly influenced by social assumptions

Difference-Equals-Deficit Error

The mistaken belief that something unfamiliar is necessarily inferior.

Ethnic Group

People whose ancestors were born in the same region and who often share a language, culture, and religion.

Race

A social category that groups people based on physical appearance, often skin color.

Scientific method

A way to answer questions using empirical research and data-based conclusions.

Hypothesis

A specific prediction that can be tested

Replication

Repeating a study, usually using different participants, perhaps of another age, SES, or culture.

Survey

A research method in which information is collected from many people by interviews, written questionnaires, or other means.

Scientific Observation

A method of testing a hypothesis by unobtrusively watching and recording participants’ behavior systematically — in a natural setting, in a laboratory, or in searches of archival data.

Quantitative Research

Research that provides data that can be expressed with numbers, such as ranks, scales, and measurements.

Qualitative Research

Research that prioritizes depth of explanation, individual experiences, and open-ended research questions. Researchers analyze nonnumerical data, such as interviews, focus groups, text, or art.

Qualitative Research

A research method in which the researcher tries to determine the cause-and-effect relationship between two variables by manipulating one (called the independent variable) and then recording the ensuing changes in the other (called the dependent variable).

Experiment

A research method in which the researcher tries to determine the cause-and-effect relationship between two variables by manipulating one (called the independent variable) and then recording the ensuing changes in the other (called the dependent variable).

Control Group

 In an experiment, a group that indicates what would have happened without the independent variable.

Independent Variable

In an experiment, the variable that is introduced to see what effect it has on the dependent variable. (Also called an experimental variable.)

Dependent Variable

In an experiment, the variable may change due to whatever new condition or situation the experimenter adds. This variable depends on the independent variable.

Correlation

The degree of the relationship between two variables. This is calculated as a number between −1 and +1 that indicates the likelihood that one variable will (or will not) occur when the other variable does (or does not). The closer it is to 0, the weaker the relationship.

Cross-Sectional Research

A research design that compares groups of people who differ in age but are similar in other important characteristics.

Longitudinal Research

A research design in which the same individuals are followed over time, as their development is repeatedly assessed.

Cross-Sequential Research

A hybrid research design in which researchers first study several groups of people of different ages (a cross-sectional approach) and then follow those groups over the years (a longitudinal approach).

Accelerated Longitudinal Research

A hybrid design that follows multiple age groups for a period. The aim is to project the developmental trajectory for the entire age range in a fraction of the time.

Meta-Analysis

A technique of combining the results of many studies to find a scientific consensus.

Germinal PEriod

the first two weeks after conception during which the zygote is characterized by rapid cell division and the beginning of cell differentiation

Embryonic Period

From approximately the third week through the eighth week after conception, during which the basic forms of all body structures, including internal organs, develop

Fetsl Period

From the ninth week after conception until birth, during which the fetus gains about 7 pounds and organs become more mature, gradually able to function on their own

Weeks until “full term” pregnancy

36 weeks

Implantation

Occurs during germinal period

shell burrows into the nurturing lining of the uterus

Percent of embryos aborted spontaneously during embryonic period

10-20 %

Stillborn

Born dead after 22 weeks

Cephalocaudal

growth and development occurs from the head down

Proximodistal

Growth and development occur from the center of the body (spine) in an outward direction

Age of Viability

The age (about 22 weeks after conception) at which a fetus might survive outside the uterus if specialized medical care is available.

Apoptosis

Cell death - occurs during the fetal period

Abnormal and immature neurons are lost

Neurons

One of billions of nerve cells in the central nervous system, especially in the brain.

Axon

A fiber that extends from a neuron and transmits electrochemical impulses from that neuron to the dendrites of other neurons.

Dendrite

A fiber that extends from a neuron and receives electrochemical impulses transmitted from other neurons by their axons.

Cortex

The outer layers of the brain in humans and other mammals. Most thinking, feeling, and sensing involves the cortex.

Myelin

The fatty protein that insulates the nerves and facilitates communication

Synapse

The space between the axon terminals of one neuron and the dendrites of other neurons

Midwife

▪Medically trained and certified professional

▪Also certified as a nurse

▪Work under the supervision of a physician

Doula

▪Person who helps with the birth process

▪Not medically trained

▪Role is to advocate for the parents and provide emotional, physical, and informational support

Cesarean Section

A surgical birth in which incisions through the abdomen and uterus allow the fetus to be removed quickly instead of being delivered through the vagina.

Percent of C-Sections

10-15% of births

Disadvantages of C-sections

▪Breast-feeding is less common.

▪Medical complications are more likely.

▪Babies born via c-section are more likely to develop asthma and allergies.

▪Babies are more likely to be diagnosed with obesity and diabetes later in life.

Apgar Scale

▪Quick assessment of newborn’s color, heart rate, muscle tone, and breathing

▪Score of 0, 1, or 2 in each category

▪Highest possible score is 10.

Anoxia

▪Lack of oxygen that, if prolonged, can cause brain damage or death

Cerebral Palsy

Results from damage to the brain’s motor centers

difficulty with muscle control, so their speech and/or body movements are impaired.

Teratogens

▪Anything that increases the risk of prenatal abnormalities and birth complications

heavy drinking early in pregnancy can cause..

Fetal alcohol syndrome - distorts the facial features

Fetal alcohol effects

Later in pregnancy, the effects might not be visible

difficulty remembering, metabolic dysfunction, and obesity

Low Birth Weight

Less than 5.5 lbs at brith

Very low birthweight

less than 3 lbs 5 oz at birth

extremely low birth weight

less than 2 lbs 3 oz at birth

small for gestational age

▪Birthweight is significantly lower than expected, given the time since conception.

Consequences of LBW

▪Toddlers cry often.

▪Kindergarteners’ cognition is typically impaired.

▪Children have lower IQ scores at age 5.

▪In adulthood, higher rates of diabetes, obesity, heart disease, and depression persist.

Reflex

Unlearned, involuntary action or movement in response to a stimulus; occurs without conscious thought

Reflexes aid survival (x3)

▪Maintaining oxygen: Breathing, hiccupping, sneezing, and thrashing

▪Maintaining constant body temperature: Crying, shivering, tucking legs to body, pushing away

▪Managing feeding: Sucking, rooting, swallowing, and spitting up

Babinski Reflex

When a newborn’s feet are stroked, the toes fan upward.

Positive Supporting

●Age of onset: 36 weeks gestation

●Age of integration: 1-2 months

●Stimulus: tactile, proprioceptive input through contact with surface

●Response: extension of lower extremities

●Function: prep for standing, postural control

Swimming Reflex

When held horizontally on their stomachs, newborns stretch out their arms and legs.

Palmar grasp reflex

●Age of onset: birth

●Age of integration: 9 months

●Stimulus: light pressure to palm of hand

●Response: fingers flex

●Function: protection (grasping)

Moro Reflex

●Age of onset: 28 weeks gestation

●Age of integration: 4-6 months

●Stimulus: pull up on the infant’s arms and release (simulates sensation of falling)

●Response: abduction and extension of BUEs, fingers extend, THEN BUEs adduct, elbows flex

●Function: protection from falling

Plantar Grasp reflex

●Age of onset: 28 weeks gestation

●Age of integration: 9 months

●Stimulus: light pressure to sole of foot

●Response: toes flex

●Function: protection (grasping)

Rooting Reflex

●Age of onset: 28 weeks gestation

●Age of integration: 3 months

●Stimulus: touch side of cheek

●Response: head turns toward stimulus

●Function: obtain food for survival

Flexor Withdrawal

●Age of onset: 28 weeks gestation

●Age of integration: 1-2 months

●Stimulus: noxious stimulus on bottom of foot

●Response: hip, knee, ankle flexion

●Function: pull away from harm

Crossed Extension

●Age of onset: 28 weeks gestation

●Age of integration: 1-2 months

●Stimulus: noxious stimulus on bottom of foot, hold opposite leg

●Response: the contralateral LE will flex at hip and knee and then extend, internally rotate and adduct.

●Function: protection

ATNR- Asymmetric Tonic Neck Reflex

●Age of onset: birth

●Age of integration: 4-6 months

●Stimulus: turn head to side

●Response: face side extremities extend, skull side flex

●Function: prep for visually guided reach

STNR: Symmetric Tonic Neck Reflex

●Age of onset: 4-6 mos

●Age of integration: 8-12 mos

●Stimulus: extend neck

●Response: BUEs extend, BLEs flex

●Stimulus: flex neck

●Response: BUEs flex, BLEs extend

●Function: prep for hands and knees position, crawling

Head Righting Reactions: Neck

○Age of onset: 34 weeks gestation

○Age of integration: 4-6 months

○Purpose:  head controlH

head Righting reactions: Tonic Labyrinthine

○Age of onset: Birth-2 mo

○Age of integration: persists

○Purpose:  enables baby to lift head in prone

HRR: Optical

○Age of onset: Birth-2 mo

○Age of integration: persists

○Purpose: using eyes to right the body

HRR: Head/neck

○Age of onset: Birth-2 mo

○Age of integration: persists

○Purpose:  keeping head upright

Trunk Righting reactions: Body (immature)

○Age of onset: 34 weeks gestation

○Age of integration: 4-6 months

○Purpose:  head control

TRR: Landau

○Age of onset: Birth-2 mo

○Purpose:  enables baby to lift head in prone

TRR: Body (Mature)

○Age of onset: 4-6 mo

○Age of integration: 5 years

○Purpose:  rolling

Equilibrium Reactions: Prone

○Age of onset: 6 months

○Age of integration: persists

ER: Supine

○Age of onset: 7-8 months

○Age of integration: persists

ER: Sitting

○Age of onset: 7-8 months

○Age of integration: persists

Equilibrium Reactions: Quadruped

○Age of onset: 9-12 months

○Age of integration: persists

ERR: Standing

○Age of onset: 12-24 months

○Age of integration: persists

Postpartum Depression

▪Mood disorder that can develop after giving birth

▪Can feel like sadness, anger, fear or self-blame

Parent-Infant Bond

▪Strong, loving connection that forms as parents hold, examine, and feed the newborn

Kangaroo Care

▪Form of newborn care in which parents rest their babies on their naked chests

▪Kangaroo-care newborns sleep more deeply, gain weight more quickly, spend more time alert than infants with standard care, and are healthier overall.

Birth weight doubles by which month and triples by what month

month 4 and month 12

how many hours do newborns sleep

15-17

REM accounts for how much sleep

50 percent