Overflow movements and cognitive, motor and behavioural disturbance: a normative study of girls.

ABSTRACT

This study established norms for overflow movements of girls on the Modified Fog Test (MFT) of neurological function and investigated the relationship between high levels of overflow and behavioural and cognitive measures. 193 girls aged seven to 10 years, from suburban and inner-city areas, were examined for overflow, co-ordination and handedness, and completed cognitive and reading tests. Teachers' assessments of performance and behaviour at school were obtained and the parents of 147 girls were interviewed about developmental history, psychosocial situation and current behaviour. As predicted, there was a highly significant reduction in the amount of overflow with increasing age. Left-handed girls showed more overflow on the right side, in contrast to right- and mixed-handed girls. Girls in a combined group of 'poor performers' on the MFT were significantly more likely to show behaviour problems at school, and to be judged poor scholastically. They had significantly lower reading scores, were judged poor at handwriting and school sport, and scored lower on the Gubbay clap and catch task.