COMPS: Clinical Observations of Motor and Postural Skills - 2nd Edition

COMPS is an individually administered screening tool designed for use by Occupational therapists to identify subtle, developmental motor coordination problems or dyspraxias in children. It is based on six of the Clinical Observations developed by Dr. A. Jean Ayres to supplement information received from standardized tests. It generates a score to help identify a number of subtle motor coordination problems in children.

The six subtests are:

• Slow Movements: measuring the child’s ability to move the upper extremities slowly and symmetrically
• Rapid Forearm Rotation: assessing the number of forearm rotations accurately completed within 10 seconds assessing Diadochokinesis (cerebellar-vestibular integrity)
• Finger-Nose Touching: with eyes open and closed
• Prone Extension Posture: measuring the ability to assume and maintain an arched-back position against gravity with arms and legs extended
• Asymmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex (ATNR): measure the presence of the asymmetrical tonic reflex in the quadruped position
• Supine Flexion Posture: assessing the ability to assume and maintain a flexed posture in the supine position

This revision now includes ages 5 to 15. COMPS offers standardized administration procedures and objective criteria for scoring. Easy to follow instructions and illustrations help therapists to administer the test quickly and reliably in less than 15 minutes.