Movement is essential for learning. Previous research explored the relationship between movement and academic performance, however, evidence regarding the specific gross motor skills related to reading and spelling is lacking. The current study, therefore, investigated the effect a perceptual-motor intervention had on the relationship between…

A review of research since Ayers' (1972) report on sensory integration (SI) concludes that SI is not supported as an effective treatment for academic problems of children with learning disabilities. It is not clear whether SI is more effective than perceptual-motor approaches or maturation alone. (SK)

The study reports the findings of a meta-analysis, the application of statistical methods of data synthesis from individual studies, reviewing 180 studies assessing the efficacy of perceptual motor training. Perceptual motor training was not found to be an effective intervention technique for improving academic, cognitive, or perceptual motor…

Assessment of 60 children (ages 9-15) with learning disabilities resulted in a group with relatively intact visual planning and mental flexibility skills and a group clearly dysfunctional in these areas. Comparison of the two subtypes on measures of academic skills, visual memory, visual-motor integration, and motor speed indicated significant…

Demographic data, IQ, achievement, perceptual-motor, behavior ratings, and diagnostic classification (learning, mental, emotional disability or no handicap) were analyzed for all children (N=2002) referred for complete psychological evaluation during one school year in Iowa. Learning disabled children showed a distinct pattern different from…

Among conclusions of the review of the literature are that learning-disabled (LD) females have lower IQ's and more severe academic achievement deficits in some aspects of reading and math, but are somewhat better in visual-motor abilities, spelling, and written language mechanics than LD males. (Author/DB)