Clinical Tests Relating to Mental Activity in Infancy

The Management of Cerebral Palsy in Children

“…Normally, progressive modification of early characteristics is seen in every aspect of infant activity, and the unfolding of mental processes is apparent in this modification (Collis, 1953). Not only is there related change in the poise of the head, the curve of the back, the attitude of the limbs, in the activity of eyes, mouth, and hands, but also there is similarly related alteration in neurophysiological characteristics—modification of grasping and other “infantile reflexes”, change in the “quality” and speed of reactions and in resistance to passive movement.…”

Some Differential Characteristics of Cerebral Motor Defects in Infancy

“…In this paper I am confining myself to a description of some of the less striking characteristics of physical activity in growing children with abnormalities of motor function from which, I believe, the nature of their residual motor function may be deduced. (I have described elsewhere (Collis, 1953) some characteristics of mental activity to be seen in the physical behaviour of infants.) The achievements of motordeficient children rest not only on their mental capacity but also on the kind of physical handling they receive during the stages of 'plasticity' of the nervous system.…”