comparison of motor skills of dyslexic and nondyslexic students

ABSTRACT

Learning disorders including dyslexia result in various aspects of life failures specially students academic situation and low self esteem, or physical, psychological, psychophysiological, and behavioral problems. Dyslexia is a disorder that one is unable to acquire language reading, writing and spelling skills appropriate to his or her intellectual capability, in spite of usual instructional experiences. Investigating this disorder and identifying factors related to it can prevent its consequences and help to solve physical and psychological problems. In this ex post facto designed research the motor skills of dyslexic and normal students was studied. In this regard 24 dyslexic [12 person of 2[nd] grade and 12 of 3[rd] grade] in the form of accessible and 24 nondyslexic [12 person of 2[nd] grade and 12 of 3[rd] grade] as random samples were selected from primary schools. Then they were administered by Lincoln - Ozeretsky battery of motor skill tests. Data were analyzed finally using dependent. independent t student and chi square tests. The findings indicate that there was significant difference between dyslexic and non dyslexic overall and fine motor skills and latency in motor development, but there wasn't such a difference between their IQ and gross motor skills. There was intragroup significant difference between fine and gross motor skills among dyslexic subjects as well. According to scientists, motor capabilities form the basis of later learnings. Some learning disabled children are slower than non disabled ones in motor development in spite of their normal IQ. It seems they have poor cognitive components in acquiring motor skills because these skills specially fine motor skills require some degrees of activity in cognitive area; this is why some people may learn or develop motor activities slowly. Many researchers suggest it is due to some minimal brain damages. But regardless the causes, modification of those motor difficulties is necessary before beginning other skills training