SOME ASPECTS OF PERCEPTUO-MOTOR DISABILITY IN 51/2-YEAR-OLD CHILDREN

Summary. 150 5 1/2‐year‐old children were given the Bender Gestalt Test. Using the Keogh and Smith scoring method, two groups were formed from the highest (H group) and lowest (L group) scoring children. Both groups were then given several perceptual and perceptuo‐motor tasks, designed to measure some of the component skills involved in pencil‐pattern copying. A standard scoring method was used in all except a matching task, in order to investigate and compare the pattern of inter‐dependence among the hypothesised component skills. It was found that this pattern differed in the H and L groups, and also within the L group. Both groups were followed up after 17 months, when the attainment of the H group in hand‐writing and spelling was found to be higher than that of the L group. 1969 The British Psychological Society