Review: The impact of motor development on typical and atypical social cognition and language: a systematic review

Abstract

Background: Motor development allows infants to gain knowledge of the world but its vital role in social development is often ignored. Method: A systematic search for papers investigating the relationship between motor and social skills was conducted, including research in typical development and in Developmental Coordination Disorder, Autism Spectrum Disorders and Specific Language Impairment. Results: The search identified 42 studies, many of which highlighted a significant relationship between motor skills and the development of social cognition, language and social interactions. Conclusions: This complex relationship requires more attention from researchers and practitioners, allowing the development of more tailored intervention techniques for those at risk of motor, social and language difficulties. Key Practitioner Message Significant relationships exist between the development of motor skills, social cognition, language and social interactions in typical and atypical development  Practitioners should be aware of the relationships between these aspects of development and understand the impact that early motor difficulties may have on later social skills  Complex relationships between motor and social skills are evident in children with ASD, DCD and SLI  Early screening and more targeted interventions may be appropriate Acknowledgements

Motor Issues in Specific Language Impairment: a Window into the Underlying Impairment

“…Our review not only leads us to a conclusion that coincides with Leonard and Hill's [25] main insight, but additionally considers studies exploring speech-motor ability and communicative gesturing and offers new insights into the neurocognitive mechanisms underlying language and motor development, which were not previously discussed in Leonard and Hill's review [25].…”

“…A similar argument was later made by Leonard and Hill [25] after reviewing studies exploring the effects of motor development on social, cognitive, and language abilities in typical development and in neurodevelopmental disorders including SLI. Their review of the SLI studies revealed significant correlations between standardized measures and parental reports of motor development and language measures including communication ability, expressive language scores, and articulation.…”

“…Their review of the SLI studies revealed significant correlations between standardized measures and parental reports of motor development and language measures including communication ability, expressive language scores, and articulation. Leonard and Hill [25] speculated that these significant relationships suggest that neural mechanisms underlying motor development may be shared by other areas of development like language and social development and further prompted future studies to corroborate their hypothesis.…”

Reprint of “Deficits of hot executive function in developmental coordination disorder: Sensitivity to positive social cues”

“…Neurodevelopmental disruptions in one aspect of functioning (e.g., motor) can have far-reaching consequences beyond the primary domain (Leonard & Hill, 2014). In the particular case of poor motor coordination in children (or developmental coordination disorder-DCD), aspects of psychosocial functioning, cognition, and academic performance can also be disrupted (Zwicker, Harris, & Klassen, 2012).…”

Correlation Between Self-Concept And The Level Of Motor Skills In Children

“…Literature suggests that physical activity can improve mental health (Penedo & Dahn, 2005;Hassmén, Koivula & Uutela, 2000), including depression, anxiety, self-esteem, self-concept, anger, stress, executive function and so on (Davis, Tomporowski, McDowell, Austin, Miller, Yanasak, et al, 2011;Holley, Crone, Tyson & Lovell, 2011;Alpert, Field, Goldstein & Perry, 1990). From a health perspective, higher levels of gross motor skills is associated with enhanced cognitive and social development and language skills (Best, 2010;Piek J, Dawson L, Smith L, et al, 2008;Leonard & Hill, 2014). This evidence supports the premise that physical activity and self-concept could be connected.…”