MOTOR FUNCTION DISORDERS AND PSYCHIATRIC DIAGNOSES OF EDUCATIONALLY SUBNORMAL CHILDREN

76 first grade children of a special school for learning disabled were tested for specific developmental disorders of motor functions (SDDM) . 15 children (19,7%), boys and girls proportionately, had a SDDM. Thi s is a substantial increase compared to the unselected population. 8 c hildren (15,5%) suffered from a specific disorder of-body coordination and low finger-eye coordination. 4 children (5,3%) were found to have specific disorders of motor functions and specific language retardati ons. Isolated disorders of hand coordination were not found. 31% of th e children with SDDM suffered from psychiatric disorders. Roughly the same percentage of psychiatric diagnosis was found in children without disorders of motor functions. A total of 24 children (33%) had impair ed physical coordination: these children had significantly higher tota l scores in the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL). Though this questionn aire was not sensitive for detection of disorders of motor functions.