Classification of dyspraxia in hearing-impaired children using the Q-technique of factor analysis

Identification of hearing-impaired children with the additional language-learning difficulty of dyspraxia, defined by Van Uden (1981, 1983), is explored. Results from 12 diagnostic subtests obtained by Van Uden's sample of profoundly deaf children and a Manchester sample with wider ranges of age and hearing loss were analysed by the Q-technique of factor analysis. Comparison of Q profiles revealed a dyspraxic/eupraxic profile for Van Uden's sample, but a linguistic/non-linguistic profile for the Manchester sample. Two Manchester children who fulfilled the specified criteria and showed the dyspraxic profile had no known additional language-learning difficulties. Usefulness of the Q-technique for the profile analysis of hearing-impaired children is discussed, and comparisons made with the results from cluster analyses.