Developmental Dyspraxia: Is it a Unitary Function?

Abstract

Children ( N = 182) with known or suspected sensory integrative dysfunction and who ranged in age front 4 years, 0 months, to 9 years, 11 months, were assessed using tests and clinical observations to examine developmental dyspraxia. Correlations and factor analyses indicated strong associations between praxis, tactile sensory processing, visual perception, and repeating of sentences. The major factor represented visuosomatopraxis function with elements linked by concept formation. Auditory memory delineated a second factor and kinesthesia another factor. Any contribution of the vestibular system to praxis could not be clearly isolated. The study did not justify the existence of either a unitary function or different types of developmental dyspraxia; rather, it supported the idea of a general praxis function and of additional differentiated practic skills defined by behavioral goals.