Low-cost movement analysis in children with specific learning disorders: A two-case report

Abstract

In child rehabilitation, there is a need for assessment tools able to detect even small deficits and subtle changes in order toplan and verify the rehabilitative programme. However, as current methods are mainly based on optoelectronic expensiveand non-portable devices, they tend to lack practicality and/or reliability and good validation. We present two cases ofchildren with a specific learning disorder involving writing skills; both received treatment to improve their motor andvisuomotor skills involved in the act of writing. In addition to neuropsychological testing, the assessment included a new noninvasive method, based on quantitative videoanalysis of arm movement during a maze task; moreover, parent and teacherwere interviewed. The low-cost method seems promising, but it seems to measure something different from the perceptionof teachers and parents and from commonly used neuropsychological tests.Keywords: Rehabilitation, child, visuomotor skills, neuropsychological tests.