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Research Article
Issue Date: February 1981
Published Online: February 01, 1981
Updated: April 30, 2020
Effects of Vestibular Stimulation on Spontaneous Use of Verbal Language in Developmentally Delayed Children
W. Michael Magrun; Kenneth Ottenbacher; Susan McCue; Rosemary Keefe
Author Affiliations
  • W. Michael Magrun, M.S., OTR, developed the first occupational therapy program for the Board of Cooperative Educational Service (BOCES) at Leicester, New York, serving 12 school districts. He is currently an independent consultant
  • Kenneth Ottenbacher, M.S., OTR, is presently a graduate student at the University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri
  • Susan McCue, M.S.Ed., taught the primary trainable retarded class at the BOCES at Mt. Morris, New York
  • Rosemary Keefe, M.S.Ed., taught the developmental retarded preschool class for BOCES at Mt. Morris, New York
Article Information
Pediatric Evaluation and Intervention / Features
Research Article   |   February 01, 1981
Effects of Vestibular Stimulation on Spontaneous Use of Verbal Language in Developmentally Delayed Children
American Journal of Occupational Therapy, February 1981, Vol. 35, 101-104. https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.35.2.101
American Journal of Occupational Therapy, February 1981, Vol. 35, 101-104. https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.35.2.101
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Abstract

The relationship between vestibular stimulation and language development in a group of five primary trainable mentally deficient and five developmentally retarded preschoolers was studied. Subjects received vestibular stimulation prior to a free play situation and were monitored for spontaneous recognizable language use. Results indicated an increase in spontaneous verbal language use for both groups immediately after the stimulation periods, and suggest vestibular stimulation as an effective nonverbal intervention method for the facilitation of spontaneous language.