A Comparison of Limb Praxis Abilities of Persons with Developmental Dyspraxia and Adult Onset Apraxia

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine whether gesture performance in developmental dyspraxia and adult onset apraxia are similar. The performance of children and adults with dyspraxia and adults with apraxia on similar tasks were compared. A convenience sample of six groups of participants were as follows: children with learning disabilities and dyspraxia, young adults with learning disabilities and dyspraxia, older adults with left hemisphere brain damage and apraxia, and three age-matched groups of control participants. There were 10 subjects in each group except the young adults with learning disabilities. Performance on two types of motor tasks was measured: item (transitive, intransitive) and mode (verbal command and imitation). A mixed-model analysis of variance showed significant main effects for Diagnosis, Item, Mode, and the interactions of Diagnosis X Item and Mode X Item. This study suggests that participants with developmental dyspraxia and adult onset apraxia exhibit similar performance deficits in gestural motor tasks. The children and young adults with dyspraxia also scored similarly implying that dyspraxic behaviors continue into adulthood. Application of the findings to intervention suggest that task performance may improve if therapists demonstrate motor tasks and eliminate or minimize tool use.