Motor and coordination difficulties in children with emotional and behavioural difficulties

To date, very few studies have explored the incidence of motor impair- ment amongst children with social, emotional and behavioural difficul- ties (social, emotional and mental health (SEMH); formerly SEBD in England). Following research that suggests an increase in motor difficul- ties in young children and adolescents with SEMH difficulties, this study compares profiles of motor ability using the Movement ABC-2 assess- ment in children attending a specialist SEMH primary school with a typically developing comparison group and children with a diagnosis of developmental coordination disorder. We report an increased preva- lence of borderline or clinically significant motor impairment amongst children with SEMH difficulties compared to the comparison group, with 44% of the SEMH special school sample falling within these ranges. We suggest that bearing in mind the increased likelihood for motor impair- ment is important in SEMH education, as it has likely impact on class- room functioning and ability and motivation to take part in socially and academically relevant activities.