鑑於國內缺之智能不足兒童之早期發展資料,著者由1986年12月到1990年12月間,在臺大醫院復健科長期追蹤102位非唐氏症之身心發展遲緩兒童中,選取純粹智能不足兒童,共53例的基本資料與發展資料納入分析,以了解其動作發展情形及相關因素。開始評估年齡為4-42個月,平均追蹤31個月。這些病例達各項發展能力的中位數年齡為翻身9.5個月,獨坐12月,腹部離地爬行或臀部移動24月,獨立行走30月。研究結果顯示,智能、獨立行走前所用的主要移位方式、早期粗動作發展商數、獨坐月齡、母親年齡與其粗動作發展有關。早期臨床評估各變項中,以獨坐月齡對智能不足兒童獨立行走月齡之預測性最高。由於智能不足兒童有相當高的比例可以獨立行走,其未來之最大障礙仍在日常生活之獨立與智力功能,因此早期之復健,除動作誘發外,日常生活與智力功能訓練也是非常重要。
The psychomotor development of mentally retarded children has seldom been studied in Taiwan. To investigate the motor development, to find out the associated variables of age of independent walking of non-specific mentally retarded children, 102 psychomotor retardation children, non-Down's syndrome and without neurological impairment, had been collected and followed up from December 1986, till the age of 8-99 months old. Among them, 53 children whose final diagnosis were non-specific mental retardation, were included in this study. They recieve follow up once per 3-6 months. The duration of follow-up is 9 to 48 months (mean 31 months). From the developmental record of these children, the median age of rolling was 9.5 months, sitting 12 months, crawling or shuffling 24 months, walking with support 17 months, independent walking 30 months, walking well 34 months. Their intellectual functions which were represented by DQ (developmental quotient) of mental scale of Bayley Infant Developmental Scale, were almost moderate to severe retarded. Fifty-seven percent of them was severe (DQ<35), 28% moderate (DQ 35-49), and 4% mild (DQ 50-70). The delay in motor development was more severe in the severe retarded children than in the mild to moderate retarded children. The median age of independent walking of the severe cases was 40 months, and of the mild to moderate cases was 25 months. The pre-walking locomotor strategies, gross motor DQ, the age of sitting and supported standing, and mother's age also related to the age of indpendent walking. The best variable which was able to predict the age of indpendent walking was the age of sitting. The children with non-specific mental retardation usually can reach independent walking. Their main problems, in the future, are learning and independent living. Therefore, in treatment, the stimulation of cognitive function and activities of daily living training in addition to the facilitation of postural reactions are recommended.