Objective: The present study investigates the effectiveness of using perceptual-motor skills on the decrease in behavioral disorders of five to eight year old children with ADHD.
Method: In this quasi-experimental study, 26 five to eight year old children with ADHD referred to four occupational therapy centers were randomly divided into an experimental and a control group. Research instruments included Parents Rating Scale (CPRS-48), Child behavior check list (CBCL), Bruninks – Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency (BOMT). After the intervention, which included a six week perceptual-motor practice, mothers were asked to fill out the behavioral checklists again. BOMT was used for post-intervention assessment.
Results: At the end of the intervention period all motor component scores (gross movments , fine movements, upper limb speed and dexterity and total score) showed significant improvement. Behavioral disorders (anxiety, social problems, attention problems, aggressive behaviors and others) also showed . In addition, children in the control group showed significant improvement in fine movement and BOMT total score, as well as a decrease in aggressive behaviors and anxiety.
Conclusion: The improvement of motor skills in children in this study appears to have resulted in a feeling of competency as well as daily activities and academic situations. More success, less failure, and finally more positive evaluations led to a decrease in aggression, anxiety and other behavioral problems in general among the children in this study.
Type of Study:
Research |
Subject:
Special Received: 2010/05/22 | Accepted: 2010/07/23 | Published: 2010/09/23