Examination of the Child with Minor Neurological Dysfunction

This highly practical book brings the examination of minor neurological dysfunction developed by Bert Touwen and his colleagues in Groningen right up to date, which is timely in view of the increasing interest in and use of this approach. The approach is a detailed and extensive neurological examination with the aim of detecting a possible neurobiological basis for learning, behavioural and motor coordination problems in a child and thus informing decision-making and management. It provides a refined, sensitive and age-appropriate technique, designed to take into account the developmental aspects of the child's rapidly changing nervous system.This third edition of Bert Touwen's classic handbook has been updated by Mijna Hadders-Algra to reflect contemporary clinical practice. A new chapter assesses the reliability and validity of the methodology, and the book now includes norms for comparison, as well as practical management guidelines based on current clinical practice. Entirely new photographs and diagrams illustrate the assessment techniques clearly.The accompanying CD-ROM contains videos illustrating typical and atypical performance and also provides an electronic assessment form.

Mijna Hadders-Algra is Professor of Developmental Neurology at the Department of Neurology, University of Groningen. Her main lines of research are (1) the early detection of developmental disabilities (cerebral palsy, developmental coordination disorder, minor neurological dysfunction, learning and behavioural problems), and (2) paediatric neuromotor habilitation (early intervention in children with neurological developmental disabilities). In the latter line she advocates a dual approach consisting of the unravelling of the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying developmental disorders, on the basis of which (physiotherapeutical) treatment programmes are developed and evaluated.

Dr Hadders-Algra is an internationally recognised expert in the field of child development and childhood disability. She has published more than 150 articles in peer-reviewed journals, is regularly invited to present at international meetings, and is or has been a member of the board of the European Academy of Childhood Disability, the Committee of Research and Awards of the American Academy of Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine, and the Working Group on Variability and Uncertainty in Toxicology of the British Government.

Dr Hadders-Algra co-edited Postural Control: A Key Issue In Developmental Disorders (Clinics in Developmental Medicine no. 179), also published by Mac Keith Press.

Contents
Foreword - Professor Bert C L Touwen
Foreword - Dr Robert Forsyth
1. Introduction
2. Assessment of minor neurological dysfunction
3. Assessment technique and psychometric properties
4. Assessment of the Child Sitting - part I
5. Assessment of the Child Standing
6. Assessment of the child walking
7. Assessment of the child lying
8. Assessment of the child sitting - part 2
9. General data
10. Interpretation of findings