The Test of Infant Motor Performance (TIMP) is a standardized assessment used to evaluate motor development in infants from 34 weeks gestational age to 4 months post-term. It assesses postural control and movement patterns needed for functional motor skills.
The TIMP includes:
- Observed spontaneous movements
- Responses to handling and positioning
It helps identify motor delays and predicts future motor impairments, making it valuable for early detection of cerebral palsy and other neuromotor disorders. TIMP is widely used in neonatal and early intervention settings to guide therapy and support developmental outcomes.
Accessing the TIMP:
The official TIMP materials, including the assessment forms and manuals, can be obtained through the Infant Motor Performance Scales website:
Pros of the TIMP:
- Early Detection: The TIMP is effective in identifying infants at risk for motor developmental delays, allowing for timely interventions.
- Comprehensive Assessment: Comprising 42 items, the TIMP evaluates both spontaneous and elicited movements, providing a detailed profile of an infant’s motor abilities.
- Predictive Validity: Research indicates that TIMP scores at 3 months can predict motor, cognitive, and language outcomes at 2 years of age in preterm infants.
- Standardized Tool: The TIMP offers normative data, enabling practitioners to compare an individual infant’s performance against established benchmarks.
Cons of the TIMP:
- Training Requirements: Accurate administration and interpretation of the TIMP necessitate specialized training, which may require additional time and resources.
- Time-Intensive: The assessment can be time-consuming, potentially posing challenges in settings with limited time or resources.
- Age Limitations: The TIMP is specifically designed for infants up to 4 months post-term; its applicability beyond this age range is limited.
For those interested in utilizing the TIMP, training resources and further information are available through the Infant Motor Performance Scales website.