Relationship between Motor and Mental Age in Children with Down Syndrome

Objectives: Down syndrome (DS) is the most common multiple congenital anomaly syndrome associated with a developmental disability. Children with Down syndrome have delay in both motor and mental age. This study carried out to explore relationship between mental and motor age of children with DS. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on ۶۰ participants with DS (۵ to ۷ years old) using randomized method of sampling based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. Mental and motor age of participants was measured by Peabody Developmental Motor Scales and Goodenough Draw A Man Test. Results: Test result was analyzed for total, gross and fine motor age and mental age. Results were interpreted by the statistical method of pearson correlation analysis. There was significant correlation between mental age and total motor age based on pearson correlation coefficient (r=۰.۹۳). Discussion: Results of the study showed that there were strong positive correlations between gross, fine and total motor age, and mental age of children with Down syndrome and suggest the hypothesis that simultaneous utilization of motor and mental practice through rehabilitation programs is more effective than mere practice.