Typical/Atypical Development

Concepts of Development

• Cephalic to Caudal: A person develops head/upper extremity control before trunk/lower extremity control. There is acquisition of skills from head to toe. 

• Gross to Fine: A general trend for large muscle movement to small muscle acquisition.

• Mass to Specific: A person generally acquires simple movements and progresses toward more complex movements.

• Proximal to Distal: Trunk control (midline stability) is acquired first and gradual are made in distal control (extremities).

Primitive Reflexes