Motor Performance and Functional Mobility in Children with Specific Learning Disabilities

Introduction: Children with specific learning disabilities (SLD) may have problem in motor performance that can further lead to impaired functional skills. Nevertheless, the literature regarding motor performances showed an inconclusive finding. Thus, the aims of this study were to investigate the level of motor performance and functional mobility in children with SLD and to determine the influence of motor performance on the functional mobility. Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 148 children with SLD. The evaluation consisted of the Movement Assessment Battery for Children – 2 (MABC-2) and the Functional Mobility subtest from Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory – Computer Adaptive Test (PEDI-CAT). The level of motor abilities and functional mobility were compared against an established normative percentile rank and standard T-score respectively. A linear regression was then conducted to assess the extent to which variance in motor performance (i.e. manual dexterity, aiming and catching and balance) could be accounted for functional mobility scores. Results: The results of motor performance tests by MABC-2 revealed that the children with SLD had no movement difficulties in manual dexterity (mean percentile rank=21.58), aiming and catching (mean percentile rank=30.05) and balance (mean percentile rank=33.25). The mean standard T-score for functional mobility was 49.49 and this indicated an average capability. The motor performance was accounted for 20% of variability in functional mobility scores. The performance in manual dexterity and balance can positively predict the ability in functional mobility among children with SLD. Conclusion: This study found that there were no significant movement difficulties in children with SLD as measured by MABC-2. However, there was a significant influence of manual dexterity and balance on functional mobility scores. Therefore, this study suggested that a comprehensive assessment of motor skills is important in order to detect any associated functional deficits in children with SLD.