ABSTRACT
Clumsiness is frequently noted among children with developmental language disorders. This study considered whether the pattern of motor and perceptual impairments in language-disordered children is similar to that described previously in 'clumsy children' without language difficulties. 17 children with specific language impairment (SLI) were compared with 17 normal controls, matched for age, sex, performance IQ and socio-economic status. The SLI children did more poorly than controls on a test battery assessing motor skills and visual discrimination. There was no evidence of lateralised impairments. It is concluded that developmental clumsiness in SLI children is similar to that seen in clumsy children who are not language-impaired, and that their sensorimotor deficits extend to visual discrimination tasks that have no motor component and do not involve transient stimuli.
Subject(s)
Language Disorders/diagnosis , Mental Processes/physiology , Motor Skills/physiology , Child , Child Development , Child Language , Child, Preschool , Female , Humans , Infant , Male , Space Perception , Verbal Behavior , Visual Perception , Wechsler ScalesABSTRACT
This study established norms for overflow movements of girls on the Modified Fog Test (MFT) of neurological function and investigated the relationship between high levels of overflow and behavioural and cognitive measures. 193 girls aged seven to 10 years, from suburban and inner-city areas, were examined for overflow, co-ordination and handedness, and completed cognitive and reading tests. Teachers' assessments of performance and behaviour at school were obtained and the parents of 147 girls were interviewed about developmental history, psychosocial situation and current behaviour. As predicted, there was a highly significant reduction in the amount of overflow with increasing age. Left-handed girls showed more overflow on the right side, in contrast to right- and mixed-handed girls. Girls in a combined group of 'poor performers' on the MFT were significantly more likely to show behaviour problems at school, and to be judged poor scholastically. They had significantly lower reading scores, were judged poor at handwriting and school sport, and scored lower on the Gubbay clap and catch task.
Subject(s)
Brain Damage, Chronic/psychology , Child Behavior Disorders/psychology , Child Development , Cognition Disorders/psychology , Psychomotor Disorders/psychology , Child , Female , Functional Laterality , Humans , Learning Disabilities/psychology , Neuropsychological Tests , Sex FactorsABSTRACT
One hundred and four patients with mycologically confirmed tinea pedis took part in a controlled clinical trial to determine the efficacy of undecylenic acid powder preparations in the treatment of their fungal infections. Clinical and mycological cures were obtained in 53% of those subjects treated with undecylenic acid powders as compared with 7% of those treated with the talc vehicle or left untreated. Undecylenic acid in a powder vehicle appears to be a safe and effective agent in the treatment of tinea pedis.
Subject(s)
Tinea Pedis/drug therapy , Undecylenic Acids/therapeutic use , Administration, Topical , Humans , Undecylenic Acids/administration & dosageABSTRACT
Recent studies of primates have questioned the importance of dominance hierarchies in groups living under natural conditions. In a herd of Highland ponies and one of Highland cattle grazing under free-range conditions on the Isle of Rhum (Inner Hebrides) well defined hierarchies were present. The provision of food produced a marked increase in the frequency of agonistic interactions but had no effect on the rank systems of the two herds. While rank was clearly important in affecting the distribution of agonistic interactions, it was poorly related to behaviour in non-agonistic situations.
