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Construct validity of the motor profile with preschool children with speech-language delays: component of the early
1Department of Physical Education, Exercise and Sport Sciences, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City 37614-0654, USA. lelr1@aol.com
Insights
The Motor Profile is a reliable tool for assessing gross and fine motor skills in speech-language-delayed children aged 3-5. This study confirms its validity and reliability for evaluating motor development in this population.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric motor development
- Speech-language pathology
- Psychometrics
Background:
- Children with speech-language delays often exhibit motor skill deficits.
- Accurate assessment tools are crucial for early intervention.
- The Motor Profile's utility in this specific population required validation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the Motor Profile's reliability and validity for assessing gross and fine motor skills.
- To determine if the Motor Profile is an objective tool for children aged 3-5 years with speech-language delays.
Main Methods:
- Sixty children aged 3 years, 0 months to 5 years, 11 months, with speech-language delays, were assessed.
- The Motor Profile (Bruiniks, Rynders, & Ilmer, 1990) was administered.
- Test-retest and inter-rater reliability were analyzed.
Main Results:
- The Motor Profile demonstrated strong test-retest and inter-rater agreement.
- Factor analysis suggested cognitive processing and balance influenced one set of motor skills.
- Eye-hand and eye-foot coordination influenced another set of motor skills.
Conclusions:
- The Motor Profile is a reliable and valid instrument for assessing motor development in speech-language-delayed children.
- It can effectively identify current motor skill levels in this population.
- Further research could explore the specific cognitive and coordination factors influencing performance.
Abstract:
The purpose of this study was to assess whether the Motor Profile (Bruiniks, Rynders, & Ilmer, 1990) is a reliable, objective, and valid assessment tool of gross and fine motor skills for children (N = 60) between the ages of 3 yr., 0 mo. to 5 yr., 11 mo., classified only as speech-language-delayed. Strong test-retest and inter-rater agreement were indicated. Higher cognitive processing, static and dynamic balance may have played a critical role in the children's performance of items that loaded on Factor 1, while eye-foot and eye-hand coordination may have influenced performance on those of Factor 2. The Motor Profile is a valid assessment instrument identifying the current motor development of this population.