Motor proficiency in dyslexic children with and without attentional disorders.

Motor proficiency, in terms of speed, rhythm and absence of overflow, has previously been shown to distinguish nonlearning disabled hyperactive boys from matched controls. Accepted screening methods for selecting children with dyslexia do not include assessments of hyperactivity or other attentional deficits. Dyslexic children selected in this customary manner were compared with an otherwise matched group that had been screened for attentional disorders, on a series of repetitive and alternating movements of the fingers, hands, and feet. The screened dyslexic group performed more rapidly on five of six movements and had fewer qualitative signs of dysrhythmia or overflow.