Motor Performance and Activities of Daily Living in Children with Neurodevelopmental Disorders

Background: Neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) are developmental deficiencies that arise due to the damage of the central nervous system in the prenatal, natal, or postnatal period. Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the motor performance and activities of daily living (ADL) and examine their relationship in children with NDDs who do not have physical disabilities. Methods: A total of 107 children who were diagnosed with NDDs, without physical disabilities, and 36 healthy peers between the ages of 4.5 years to 14.5 were included in this study. The subjects' fine and gross motor skills were assessed with Bruininks-Oseretsky test of Motor Performance and ADL with WeeFIM (Functional Independence Measure). Results: Motor performance and ADL were found to be affected in children with NDDs compared to their healthy peers even though they did not have a physical disability. Moderate or low correlations were found amongst 12 of 14 sub-tests of motor performance assessing various activities such as running, balance, coordination, and dexterity, as well as all parameters of WeeFIM in children with NDDs. Children with NDDs with better motor performance had less problems in ADL, were more independent, and had better social cognition and communication skills. Conclusions: Impairments found in motor performance and ADL show that even though children with NDDs, without physical disabilities, seem to be physically unaffected, it can be clearly seen that these children may have problems in coordination, motor control, and balance affecting their daily lives. Consequently, by improving motor performance, independence in ADL may be improved. In the light of these assessments, subjects with NDD's must be included in physiotherapy and rehabilitation and occupational therapy programs in order to address the problems in motor performance and insufficiencies in ADL.