ASSOCIATION BETWEEN SPECIFIC AREAS OF DEVELOPMENT AND DYSPRAXIA IN PRESCHOOL CHILDREN
Abstract
The aim of the study was to evaluate motor development and associate its specific areas with dyspraxia in preschool children. The sample consisted of 436 preschoolers (217 girls and 219 boys) between 2 and 5 years old. Motor development was evaluated in the domains of Coordination, Proprioception and Perception using the Motor Development Scale (EDM) with the results being presented as the motor development age and the motor development quotients. The results show that 57 (13.7%) children have presented general motor quotient ≤ 89, classified as dyspraxia. Children presented lower scores of general motor quotient and highest developmental delays (greater negative motor age) in the perception area (spatial orientation and temporal orientation). Perception showed a positive correlation with the risk group for dyspraxia. These results are relevant for the establishment of the motor development profile of preschool children and thus, help teachers and professionals in interventions and prevention of future learning problems associated with developmental delays.