Motor skills in children with specific learning disorder: A controlled study

Objective: This study aimed to compare the motor skills of children with specific learning disorders (SLD) those typically developing children, controlling for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms. Second, we examine relationship between and children’s academic achievement. Method: The sample consisted 57 SLD (63.2% males, mean age=9.52±0.94), 30 as a control group (66.7% age=9.68±1.08). Wechsler Intelligence Scale Children-Revised, Schedule Affective Disorders Schizophrenia School-Age Children-Present Lifetime Version, Purdue Pegboard Test (PPT), Developmental Coordination Disorder Questionnaire (DCDQ’07), Swanson, Nolan Pelham Scale-IV (SNAP-IV) were used. Results: Of SLD, 87.7% had any comorbid psychiatric disorder, mainly ADHD (78.9%). lower scores on both DCDQ’07 total score all subtests, but statistical difference remained only in Fine Motor Handwriting (FMHW) subtest after SNAP-IV scores. Children scored than nondominant hemisphere assembly subtests PPT, significant differences Academic achievement not correlated groups, FMHW showed strongest correlation (r=0.618, p<0.001) grade point average entire sample. having an diagnosis predictive according regression analysis. Conclusion: Many suffer from skill problems, symptoms contribute significantly them.