Motor problems in children with severe emotional and behavioural difficulties

Area of Science:

• Child Psychology
• Developmental Neuroscience
• Motor Control

Background:

• Growing evidence links motor difficulties in children to psychosocial problems.
• The predictive role of specific motor functions on psychosocial well-being, considering factors like family upset, remains unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between basic motor skills, primary reflex persistence, and psychosocial functioning in young children with severe emotional and behavioural difficulties (EBD).

Main Methods:

• The study included 225 children, with three groups: severe EBD (n=29), and matched male (n=38) and female (n=45) comparison groups.
• Children underwent standardized assessments for motor, cognitive, social, and behavioral functions, alongside a clinical protocol for primary reflex persistence.

Main Results:

• Children with severe EBD exhibited significant motor difficulties, persistent reflexes, family upset, literacy problems, attention deficits, and hyperactivity compared to controls.
• Hierarchical multiple regression identified basic motor skills, reflex persistence, family upset, hyperactivity, and literacy as significant predictors of psychosocial functioning.

Conclusions:

• Motor difficulties and primary reflex persistence may independently stress psychosocial functioning in children with EBD.
• The findings support the integration of specific movement interventions to enhance support for at-risk children.