34 Med J Malaysia Vol 74 No 1 February 2019 ABSTRACT Introduction: Limitations in motor performances among children with specific learning disabilities (SLD) can lead to impaired functional skills. Thus, this study aimed to determine the level of motor performances and functional mobility, and the influence of motor performances on the functional mobility in children with SLD. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 148 children with SLD and their caregivers. The evaluation consisted of the Movement Assessment Battery for Children-2 (MABC-2) and the Functional Mobility domain from Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory-Computer Adaptive Test (PEDI-CAT). The level of motor performances and functional mobility were determined. A linear regression was then conducted to assess the influence of motor performances that could be accounted for functional mobility scores. Results: More than half of the children with SLD showed motor performance difficulty in manual dexterity subscale (54.7%). For functional mobility, the mean standard T-score indicated an average level of capability (49.49±15.96). A regression analysis revealed that both manual dexterity and balance were significant predictors for functional mobility. According to the regression coefficients, manual dexterity (B=1.37, β=0.303, sr 2 =0.077) was found to be a stronger predictor compared to balance (B=0.85, β=0.178, sr 2 =0.028). Conclusion: Manual dexterity was found to influence functional mobility among children with SLD. Therefore, fine motor skills intervention for children with SLD should emphasize on manual dexterity training. Future studies that involve dual tasks and inclusion of typical children would give useful additional information on motor performances issues in children with SLD. KEY WORDS: Functional Mobility; Balance; Children; Motor Performance; Specific Learning Disabilities INTRODUCTION Specific learning disabilities (SLD) which is also known as specific learning disorder according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorder 5th edition (DSM-5), 1 is a group of conditions that is not limited to difficulties in learning and using academic skills but also frequently co- occurs with delays in attention, language, and motor skills. Globally, in 2013, the incidence of SLD was reported to range between 5 and 15%. 1 In Malaysia, there were 314,000 children with SLD in 2010 2 with a prevalence of 10.8% in 2011. 3 As the numbers had increased remarkably by twofold in 2015, 4 substantial attention is needed to address this issue. Studies have shown that children with SLD exhibit problems in motor performance in terms of fine motor, gross motor, and balance. 5-8 Typically, these children have fine motor problem with difficulties in bimanual coordination, manual dexterity, and fine motor skills. 9 Their gross motor performance is poorer compared to typical children according to studies on locomotion and non-locomotion skills. 9,10 Numerous studies reported that they have motor impairment especially in motor coordination and balance. 11-15 There was a direct evidence of abnormal cerebellar activation patterns during motor tasks as reported in a study comparing groups of dyslexia adults with normal adult population. 12 The high range of incidence for cerebellar impairment in children with SLD (59-80%) could potentially explain their problems in motor performance. 13,15 However, studies regarding motor performance in children with SLD showed inconclusive findings especially in balance task. Whilst a number of studies reported motor performance difficulties in children with SLD, other studies found otherwise. For instance, Poblano et al., found no balance deficit among children with SLD who have absence of co- morbid diagnosis and motor-impairment during balance testing using posturography. 16 A study by Ramus et al., on motor deficit in children with SLD found mixed finding, i.e., 50% have no motor deficit and another 50% have motor deficit due to secondary diagnosis (e.g., attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder or developmental coordination disorder). 15 Understanding of motor performance in children with SLD is essential as it can affect the academic performance of children such as reading, mathematics, and language. 17,18 Specifically, 50% of children who exhibited reading problem had a below age level of motor development. 5 Similar finding also seen in a study on the association between motor impairment and difficulties in daily life and school activities. 19-21 Motor performance and functional mobility in children with specific learning disabilities Suhaili Ibrahim, BSc (Hons) 1 , Dzalani Harun, Phd 1 , Masne Kadar, Phd 1 , Hanif Farhan Mohd Rasdi, Phd 1 , Nur Sakinah Baharudin, BSc (Hons) 1 , Evelyn Jong Tze Hui, BSc (Hons) 2 1 Program of Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 2 Program of Physiotherapy, Centre of Rehabilitation and Special Needs, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia ORIGINAL ARTICLE This article was accepted: 30 December 2018 Corresponding Author: Dr Dzalani Harun Email: dzalani@ukm.edu.my