Sherry Mitchell
Purpose: There is a lack of evidence supporting the benefits of motor intervention programs for preschool children at-risk or with developmental delay. The study examined the effectiveness of a 6-week fine and gross motor group for children aged 4-5 years at-risk or with developmental delay.
Methods: This single-subject ABA design assessed repeated outcome measures of jumping and scissor-cutting tasks with four children through visual and statistical data analysis.
Findings: Positive effects of group intervention were demonstrated for two of the four children with the greatest motor delay. The degree of confidence in study results was limited due to variability and lack of clear visual trends.
Conclusion: Children with greater motor delay appeared to make greater gains during this short-term motor intervention. Due to varying motor group treatment effects, further studies are required to help mitigate the subject and environmental variables identified.