Perceptual-motor Difficulties Research Articles

The role of vision in obese and normal-weight children's gait control

Previous research has suggested that perceptual-motor difficulties may account for obese children's lower motor competence; however, specific evidence is currently lacking. Therefore, this study examined the effect of altered visual conditions on spatiotemporal and kinematic gait parameters in obese versus normal-weight children. Thirty-two obese and normal-weight children (11.2±1.5 years) walked barefoot on an instrumented walkway at constant self-selected speed during LIGHT and DARK conditions. Three-dimensional motion analysis was performed to calculate spatiotemporal parameters, as well as sagittal trunk segment and lower extremity joint angles at heel-strike and toe-off. Self-selected speed did not significantly differ between groups. In the DARK condition, all participants walked at a significantly slower speed, decreased stride length, and increased stride width. Without normal vision, obese children had a more pronounced increase in relative double support time compared to the normal-weight group, resulting in a significantly greater percentage of the gait cycle spent in stance. Walking in the DARK, both groups showed greater forward tilt of the trunk and restricted hip movement. All participants had increased knee flexion at heel-strike, as well as decreased knee extension and ankle plantarflexion at toe-off in the DARK condition. The removal of normal vision affected obese children's temporal gait pattern to a larger extent than that of normal-weight peers. Results suggest an increased dependency on vision in obese children to control locomotion. Next to the mechanical problem of moving excess mass, a different coupling between perception and action appears to be governing obese children's motor coordination and control.

Psychomotor characteristics and implications for programming and motor intervention

Intellectually challenged adolescents with varying degrees of functioning share common behavioral and psychomotor characteristics. A specially designed instructional approach and positive social attitude are necessary when dealing with this population. Research reveals that many of these individuals have developmental delays in the acquisition of basic motor skills. When compared as a group to their non-handicapped peers, intellectually challenged adolescents display low physical fitness and have perceptual-motor difficulties, which affect their learning. The major difficulty these individuals are faced with stems from language comprehension barriers and their failure to grasp instructions. In addition, some possess physical characteristics, which pose constraints in learning and performing of motor skills. A social attitude of equality and acceptance plays a major role in their successful inclusion in society. Researchers agree that the limitations mentioned above, affect the motivation of these individuals and lead to a lack of opportunity for regular participation in movement, physical activities and sports. This situation leads to low performance in the motor domain and in other areas as well. This article describes the behavioral and psychomotor characteristics of intellectually challenged individuals and offers general and specific recommendations for instruction and intervention.

THE IN AIR PHENOMENON: TEMPORAL AND SPATIAL CORRELATES OF THE HANDWRITING PROCESS

From 10 to 30% of elementary school-aged children have handwriting difficulties. Examination of such difficulties is important given the variety of academic, emotional, and social consequences that they can impose. One such common problem is the tendency of children to pause while writing. Thus the objective of this study was to use a computerized digitizer system to examine the tendency of poor writers to pause while writing. Handwriting samples of varying type and length were collected from Grade 3 students, 50 of whom were proficient writers and 50 of whom were poor writers as judged by a questionnaire completed by the classroom teachers and verified by the Hebrew Handwriting Evaluation. Analysts indicated that the so-called pauses are not stationary breaks between the writing of successive segments because letters and words were usually associated with considerable movement of the pen above the writing surface. This In Air writing occurred with significantly greater frequency for poor writers than for the proficient writers in most handwriting tasks. The results, suggest possible underlying perceptual-motor difficulties, which could be considered when planning effective handwriting interventions.

Neurological and perceptual-motor outcome at 5 - 6 years of age in children with neonatal encephalopathy: relationship with neonatal brain MRI.

The aims of this study were 1) to determine the incidence of minor neurological dysfunction and perceptual-motor difficulties in children aged 5-1/2 -- 6-1/2, who had been born full-term but presented with neonatal encephalopathy (NE) and low Apgar scores and 2) to examine the relationships between the presence/absence of these difficulties with neonatal brain MRI. Sixty-eight full-term infants with one minute Apgar scores less than or equal to 5 and neurological abnormalities during the first 48 hours after birth were included in the study. All children had a neonatal MRI brain scan. Surviving infants were assessed between the age of 5 and 6 years using the Touwen Examination, the Movement ABC and the WPPSI-R. Fifteen of the 68 infants (22 %) died in the neonatal period. Of the 53 surviving infants, 19 (36 %) had cerebral palsy. The remaining 34 were considered normal at 2 years of age but, when assessed at school age, 8 (15 %) had minor neurological dysfunction and/or perceptual-motor difficulties, 1 (2 %) had only cognitive impairment and 25 (47 %) were normal. The outcome largely reflected the pattern of lesions on brain imaging. While 83 % of those with a normal outcome had normal scans or minimal white matter lesions, 80 % of those with minor neurological dysfunction and/or perceptual-motor difficulties had mild or moderate basal ganglia or more marked white matter lesions. Continued surveillance is recommended for children with apparently normal outcome at two years of age after NE, particularly when abnormalities are detected on brain MRI.

Two distinct forms of minor neurological dysfunction: perspectives emerging from a review of data of the Groningen Perinatal Project

Two distinct forms of minor neurological dysfunction: perspectives emerging from a review of data of the Groningen Perinatal Project

The Impact of Early-Onset Multiple Sclerosis on Cognitive and Psychosocial Indices

Abstract Objective: This study is the first systematic assessment of the impact of early-onset multiple sclerosis (MS) on youngsters’ cognitive abilities and social/emotional functioning. Background: Although adult-onset MS often is characterized by intellectual changes and challenges to psychosocial adaptation, no investigation of these MS-related problems has been done in early-onset MS. Methods: Nine subjects, aged 10 to 20, diagnosed with definite MS before age 18, were evaluated with neuropsychological and psychosocial measures. Results: Although cognitive test scores were generally within normal limits, they were characterized by considerable variability. Subjects scored significantly below the norm on the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC)-III Performance scale (probably indicative of incoordination, motor slowing, and/or perceptual motor difficulties) and on the Controlled Oral Word Association Test (COWAT) (reflecting the semantic verbal memory retrieval deficits reported in adults). They scored above the norm on the Wechsler Individual Achievement Test (WIAT) Oral Expression subtest, indicating heightened communication abilities. Self-Perception Profile scores generally were within normal limits; however, Social Acceptance subscale scores were above the norm, indicating a high level of perceived peer support/friendship. Conclusions: As with adults, some youngsters with MS experience an early cognitive decline that appears unrelated to degree of physical impairment. Such a decline can interfere with academic, social, and work endeavors. To identify deficits and implement appropriate interventions/accommodations, periodic neuropsychological assessments should be included in disease management from diagnosis onward. Contrary to expectations that MS would negatively impact self-concept, subjects did not view themselves as being different from peers, and showed little or no awareness of the potential impact of MS on their lives.

Perceptual-motor difficulties and their concomitants in six-year-old children born prematurely

The aims of this follow-up study were: (1) to compare prematurely born and reference children on tests of perceptual-motor competence, neurological functioning, intelligence, reading and behavioural adjustment, (2) to determine whether perceptual-motor problems among children born prematurely ever occur in isolation, (3) to examine the relationship between the extent of perceptual-motor difficulties and contemporaneous problems in other domains of development and, (4) to examine the relationship between the extent of perceptual-motor difficulties and selected neonatal variables. From a total of 219 eligible preterm babies, 156 children met the inclusion/exclusion criteria applicable to this study. On assessments conducted at six years of age, significant differences between premature and reference children were found on all measures. Seventy five children (48%) had perceptual-motor problems. In 15 of these, (10%) no other problems were evident. Children with extensive perceptual-motor problems were more likely to show co-occurring minor neurological signs and problems of cognition, reading and/or behaviour. In addition, these children had been of shorter gestation and had more frequently shown a brain lesion shortly after birth. PsycINFO classification: 3250; 3297

Minor Neurological Signs and Perceptual-Motor Difficulties in Prematurely Born Children

Aim—To examine the spectrum of neurological dysfunction and perceptualmotor diYculties at school age in a cohort of prematurely born children, and the relation of these measures to neonatal brain lesions, intelligence quotient, and behavioural adjustment. Method—One hundred and eighty three children were tested at the age of 6 years using Touwen’s Examination of the Child with Minor Neurological Dysfunction, the Movement Assessment Battery for Children (Movement ABC), the Developmental Test of Visual-Motor Integration (VMI), British Ability Scales, and Rutter Scales. Results—Twenty six children had definite cerebral palsy and one was blind. Of the remaining 156, the proportions falling below the 15th centile point were 31% on Touwen’s Examination, 44% on the Movement ABC,and 17% on the VMI.Forty two passed all three tests. No child with a normal ultrasound scan developed cerebral palsy, whereas nearly all those with major lesions did. Minor lesions, however, were not generally predictive of later outcome. Correlations between the tests were generally low. Conclusions—These findings stress the need to assess neurological and perceptual motor functioning separately at school age and to monitor relationships with other aspects of development. (Arch Dis Child 1997;76:F9‐F14)

Minor neurological signs and perceptual-motor difficulties in prematurely born children

AIMTo examine the spectrum of neurological dysfunction and perceptual-motor difficulties at school age in a cohort of prematurely born children, and the relation of these measures to neonatal brain lesions,...

Visual function of prematurely born children with and without perceptual-motor difficulties

The relationship between visual and perceptual-motor abilities at 6 years of age was investigated in a cohort of 141 prematurely born children without cerebral palsy. Visual acuity was assessed using the Sonksen-Silver Acuity System and stereopsis with the Titmus stereo test. Perceptual motor abilities were evaluated using the Movement Assessment Battery for Children and the Developmental Test of Visual-Motor Integration. The results showed a higher incidence of abnormalities both of linear acuity and stereopsis in the study group when compared to a group of refence children. Whereas abnormalities of linear acuity were not associated with perceptual-motor difficulties, abnormal stereopsis was significantly associated with poor performance on both perceptual-motor tests. Our results suggest that infants born preterm, even in the absence of other major neurological signs, are at risk for abnormal visual function and perceptual-motor difficulties. As these could interfere with everyday life and school performance, a longitudinal assessment of both areas of competencies is recommended so that diagnosis and possible intervention can take place as early as possible.

An Introduction to Using Children??s Drawings as an Assessment Tool

This article is intended to familiarize the ambulatory care provider with possible uses of children's drawings as assessment tools. Drawings can be a useful adjunct in detecting perceptual-motor difficulties and developmental delay, and can provide clues to self-image and family dynamics. Piaget's theory of cognitive development provides a framework to evaluate the child's intellectual development as reflected in drawings. The developmental scales of Koppitz are presented as a practical screening tool. The Koppitz scales include both developmental norms and items that might indicate emotional problems. Observing the child's drawing of the family provides clues to family dynamics. Becoming highly skilled in the evaluation of children's drawings requires a familiarity with neurophysiology, education, psychology, and psychoanalytic and developmental theory, along with intuition and practice. This article presents an introduction to evaluating children's drawings.

Behaviour problems and their relationship to reading difficulty

ABSTRACTAn investigation into the relationship between reading difficulty and maladjustment indicated that a significantly greater number of backward readers than normal readers were antisocial. The higher incidence of maladjustment was found in those backward readers with perceptual motor problems. The backward readers were also significantly more restless and uncontrolled in their behaviour. The relationship of restless hyperactive behaviour with perceptual motor difficulties is associated with an inability by the backward reader to ignore distracting stimuli and focus upon relevant perceptual information. As the restless hyperactive behaviour was present from an early age but the antisocial behaviour did not develop until he or she was experiencing difficulty with reading, it is probable that the backward reader's poor concentration and impulsive behaviour contribute both to the reading difficulty and to the development of antisocial tendencies.

Pre‐natal Factors and Backwardness in Reading

Summary Initially an investigation was made to discover and demonstrate the relationship between perceptual motor and language difficulties in a group of backward readers, all boys, of junior school age. Analysis of the data obtained suggested that the difficulties of some backward readers could be the result of a neurological impairment. The backward readers were then subdivided according to the number and severity of their scores on the perceptual motor tests, and a control group of normal readers of a similar age and intelligence was selected. A detailed questionnaire given to all the parents of the boys in both groups indicated the presence of a greater number of difficulties in pregnancy and during birth in the backward readers’ group. However, analysis of variance indicated that, with the exception of low birth weight, differences between the normal and backward readers did not reach the level of significance. In contrast, when the backward readers with perceptual motor difficulties and normal reade...

Emotional and Organic Characteristics in Drawings of Deficient Readers

Characteristics of House-Tree-Person drawings were compared for problem-free, good readers, deficient readers with primary emotional problems, and two groups with specific reading deficit: perceptual-motor difficulties with and without neurological symptoms. Characteristics were scored for five emotional reaction patterns and an organic pattern. Specific reading deficit groups exhibited fewer normal and more withdrawn, constricted, dependent, and organic patterns than good readers, with greatest differences among the younger boys of average intelligence and with neurological involvement. Boys with emotionally based deficit differed from good readers only with respect to lower normal scores for younger boys, and intellectual level was unrelated to reaction patterns. Percentages of correct discriminations based on composite drawing scores suggested that projective test data can aid in differential diagnosis of reading deficit in advantaged boys, particularly in the earliest school years.

Perceptual training: misdirections and redirections.

Book reviewed in this article: Perceptual-motor training has become an educational fad, based upon unwarranted extrapolations from theory and a misreading of the perceptual-motor difficulties manifested by handicapped children. What is of value in it can be accomplished through traditional adapted educational and therapeutic approaches directed toward functional and relevant behavioral objectives, rather than toward isolated so-called perceptual improvements.