Handwriting in Children and Adults With Down Syndrome: Developmental Delay or Specific Features?

International audienceWhile there is a long history and tradition of behavioral research on basic motor skills in Down syndrome (DS), there has been only limited research on handwriting ability. We analyzed the spatiotemporal features of handwriting produced by children and adults with DS (n = 24), and compared their productions with those of comparison groups matched for developmental (n = 24) or chronological (n = 24) age. Results indicated that the participants with DS performed an alphabet letter-writing task just as efficiently as the children of the same developmental age, in terms of the length, duration and speed of their handwriting, and the number and duration of their pauses. Our study highlights a substantial delay in the stages of writing acquisition

Trajectoires développementales des caractéristiques de l'écriture manuscrite d'enfants et d'adultes avec TSA

International audienceDans le trouble du spectre de l'autisme, la présence de difficultés d'écriture manuscrite est connue mais encore peu étudiée dans la littérature. L'objectif de cette recherche est donc double : caractériser l'écriture manuscrite chez des enfants et des adultes avec TSA et évaluer son évolution avec l'âge. Sur le premier point, les résultats mettent en lumière l'existence de difficultés au niveau de la qualité et de la vitesse de production chez les enfants et les adultes avec TSA. Sur le second point, les trajectoires de développement montrent bien un retard pour la population avec TSA mais indiquent une évolution similaire de la qualité des tracés et de la vitesse à celle de la population contrôle de même âge réel. Ces données incitent à repérer précocement ces difficultés d'écriture pour tenter d'y remédier. Abstract Handwriting difficulties in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are well known but only very little studied. The aim of the current study was twofold: 1) to characterize handwriting in children and adults with ASD and 2) to evaluate its evolution with age. Our results first showed difficulties on quality and speed production in both children and adults with ASD and second delayed developmental trajectories in ASD population albeit highligting a similar evolution of handwriting quality and speed compared to control subjects of the same age. These observations encourage early identification of handwriting difficulties to try to cure them

Staying Alone or Getting Attached: Development of the Motivations Toward Romantic Relationships During Adolescence

International audienceThe authors present the initial validation of a romantic relationship motivation scale, enabling the level of self-determined involvement in romantic relationships during adolescence to be examined. The inclusion of Self-Determination Theory (E. L. Deci & R. M. Ryan, 2000) in the motivational constructs enhances the developmental perspective regarding adolescent romantic involvement. The scale was administered to 284 adolescents (163 girls and 121 boys, age 14–19 years) with a self-esteem scale and some questions about their romantic experiences to provide some elements of external validation. The results confirmed the 4-factor structure: intrinsic motivation, identified regulation, external regulation, and amotivation, which follow the self-determination continuum, previously highlighted in friendship motivation. As hypothesized, adolescents became more self-determined with age and girls were more self-determined than boys. Other findings show specific links between motivation for romantic relationships, self-esteem and romantic experiences. It highlights the importance of considering adolescents’ motivations when exploring their romantic relationships

IPads at school? A quantitative comparison of elementary schoolchildren’s pen-on-paper versus finger-on-screen drawing skills.

International audienc

IPads at school? A quantitative comparison of elementary schoolchildren’s pen-on-paper versus finger-on-screen drawing skills.

International audienc

IPads at school? A quantitative comparison of elementary schoolchildren’s pen-on-paper versus finger-on-screen drawing skills.

International audienc

Etude de l’écriture chez l’enfant et l’adulte porteurs de trisomie 21 : bilan et perspectives de recherches

International audienc

Etude de l’écriture chez l’enfant et l’adulte porteurs de trisomie 21 : bilan et perspectives de recherches

International audienc

Predictors of Handwriting in Adolescents and Adults with Down Syndrome.

International audienceHandwriting is a skill that is constantly used in schools and in the workplace – two environments that are targeted in French legislation passed in 2005 on the integration of people with disabilities. The aim of the present study was to determine the predictive factors for handwriting speed and quality in adolescents and adults with Down syndrome (DS), looking at chronological and developmental age, pen grasp and perceptual-motor processing, which are known to contribute to both the speed and quality of handwriting. Results yielded by simple linear and curvilinear analyses revealed that handwriting speed and quality are related to chronological age, developmental age and perceptual-motor processing. Moreover, multiple linear regressions showed that handwriting quality can be predicted by fine motor coordination. We discuss the influence of different factors on handwriting acquisition in individuals with DS, and the implications in terms of intervention programmes

Evaluer et caractériser l'écriture manuscrite dans le Trouble du Spectre de l'Autisme

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