Investigating Motor Profile of Students with specific learning disorder and Students with learning problem

Students require the coordination of many different skills to be successful in school. In the meantime, the role of motor skills as a cornerstone of the development of cognitive and social-emotional function is of particular importance. Therefore, the aim of this study was to compare the motor profile of students with specific learning disorder and students with learning problems.

Data were collected on 200 students aged 8 to 12 years old (Mage = 119.6 Months, SD = 13.75 Months) with a diagnosis of either specific learning disorder and learning problem. The data were analyzed using the multivariate analysis of variances (MANOVA).                                                                                 

The results showed that students with specific learning disabilities had lower performance in locomotor (F= 25.86, P<.001), object control skills (F= 35.95, P<.001), balance (F= 25.04, P<.001), bilateral coordination (F= 47.92, P<.001), and fine motor skills (F= 22.68, P<.05) compared to students with learning problems. Significant differences were found between the two groups.

Based on the results of this study, consideration of motor skills in the identification, rehabilitation, and education of students with specific learning disabilities and learning problems can lead to effective results. these findings have important diagnostic and clinical implications for students with SLD and LP.