Distinctions in variability of motor output between learning disabled and normal children

This study measured the differences in motor output between groups of 8- and 10-yr.-old learning disabled and normal boys. Variability of motor output was investigated by having children learn an alternating tapping task to a criterion of a specified number of taps per minute and then having them transfer to more difficult tapping tasks with the same rhythmic beat but requiring more distance to move or more accuracy. Results suggest variability of motor output distinguishes normal and learning disabled boys.