Unilateral spatial and motor neglect in children.

Although unilateral spatial neglect is well documented in adults after a ce rebral damage, the description in children is rare and no motor neglect has yet been reported. We report four children age range from three to thirtee n years old, in patients in a rehabilitation department. A cancellation tas k "the Teddy bear test" was used to assess spatial neglect in children. The children were presented a page containing line drawings of usual objects, including fifteen Teddy bears. The children were asked to cross out each Te ddy bear. These four children omitted five to eleven teddy bears located on the left space, whereas children of the controlled group never omitted mor e than one Teddy bear. The four children also exhibited neglect in drawings , and during daily life activities. Moreover, one of them had a motor negle ct with no more defects of strength and an under-utilization of his left si de. Spatial unilateral neglect and motor neglect should be systematically i nvestigated in children after a cerebral damage, and should be considered d uring rehabilitation.