Children Who Are Clumsy: Five Years Later

Abstract

The aim of the present follow-up study was to assess whether clumsiness persists beyond the age of 12 and to describe the characteristics of motor and other problems, if present. From 62 children studied in 1984, 12 clumsy and 14 control children were reassessed in 1989. Reasons for dropout were a change of address, unwillingness to participate, and exclusion of hyperactive children with clumsiness. The Test of Motor Impairment indicated that at least 50% of the clumsy children were still markedly below the level of normal motor performance. This outcome was also validated by parent and teacher opinions. Persistent problems were not specifically related to one domain of fine or gross motor ability or general coordination. Concomitant problems reported by teachers and parents were lack of concentration and problems in social behavior.