The Effect of Immobilization and Sensory Restriction on Children with Phenylketonuria

Extract: The relation between the presence or absence of early immobilization and sensory restriction and current intellectual functioning, language comprehension, and emotional and behavioral patterns was investigated in 30 children with phenylketonuria. The 16 children who had experienced immobilization and sensory restriction, as defined, differed significantly from the other 14 children. In intelligence (WISC) and vocabulary (PPVT) tests, a 20-point difference in Intelligence Quotient was documented between the groups. The incidence of serious behavioual pathology was markedly increased in the children who were subjected to immobilization and sensory restriction during the first three years of life.