Effects of Activation of Preferred Stimulus on Tummy Time Behavior of an Infant with Down Syndrome and Associated Hypotonia.

Infants with Down syndrome often have low muscle tone (hypotonia) and need activities designed to increase muscle tone (e.g., tummy time). However, no study has examined the effects of strategies designed to increase of tummy time for this population. The current study investigated activation of a preferred toy as a strategy to increase head lifting during tummy time for a 5-month-old with Down syndrome and associated hypotonia. The intervention was successful and is a promising early strategy for addressing hypotonia in infants with Down syndrome. • Infants with Down syndrome often have associated hypotonia, or poor muscle tone. • "Tummy time" is widely described as an important activity for motor development in early infancy. • Activating preferred stimuli during tummy time increased head lifting in an infant with Down syndrome and hypotonia. • Activation of a preferred stimulus is an easy intervention that parents can use to enhance tummy time.