Abstract
Motor Action Training (Naruse, 1973) has been recognized to be good for modifying the behavior of children with severe mental retardation and for facilitating the development of their mental activities. A 3-year-old male child with severe mental retardation and hyperactivity who could creep was given Motor Action Training twice a week for a year. The training process was divided into five phases. The effects of the training were evaluated with respect to performance of a motor action task and as to acceptance of the trainer's guidance in motor actions. After one year of training, the child began to respond to the trainer's guidance and to perform the motor action task by himself. The frequency of crying during the session decreased, and he began to look at and move his hands. His hyperactivity improved, and his resistance to having his arm held decreased. He bit objects less and manipulated them more; he stood up with help and took about ten steps toward a toy. These results indicate that Motor Action Training is useful for improving motor actions and inappropriate behavior, as well as for facilitating mental activity, in children with severe mental retardation. In addition, analysis of the training showed the process of becoming aware of the relation between the self and the body, the self and the external limits, and of becoming able to control himself.
