Evaluation of Gravitational Insecurity in School-Age Children Diagnosed with Learning Disorder

Zeynep Araman; Emel Sari Gokten

doi:10.18535/ijsrm/v10i03.mp03

Abstract

AIM: This study was conducted to determine the incidence of Gravitational Insecurity in individuals with Specific Learning Disorder.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: We included 99 children, 65 boys and 34 girls, diagnosed with Specific Learning Disorder in our study. All children participating in the study were attending a special education and rehabilitation center. Physically independent individuals without any orthopedic or neurological diagnosis other than Specific Learning Disorder were included in the study. 99 children were evaluated with the Gravitational Insecurity Assessment and the data obtained were statistically analyzed.

RESULTS: Gravitational Insecurity is commonly seen in individuals diagnosed with Specific Learning Disorder. In individuals diagnosed with Specific Learning Disorder, the severity and incidence of Gravitational Insecurity increase with age, there is no significant difference between genders, and these individuals react to different movement patterns at different levels. In individuals diagnosed with Specific Learning Disorder with Gravitational Insecurity, postural symptoms of Gravity Insecurity are observed at higher rates than emotional symptoms. The incidence of both postural and emotional symptoms increases with age.

Keywords

Gravitational InsecurityLearning DisordersSensory IntegrationNeuroscienceSchool-ageSensory Integration Disorder Correctly receiving and processing sensory stimuli is fundamental for learning to take place correctlyand what is required for this is rich sensory experiences

References

Arsalidou, M., Pawliw-Levac, M., Sadeghi, M., & Pascual-Leone, J. (2018). Brain areas associated with numbers and calculations in children: Meta-analyses of fMRI studies. Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience, 30, 239-250.Google Scholar ↗
Ayres A. J., Learning Disabilities and the Vestibular System, University of South California, 1978Google Scholar ↗
Ayres AJ. Sensory integration and learning disorders. Los Angeles, CA; 1972Google Scholar ↗
Ayres, A. J. (1979). Sensory Integration and the Child, Los Angeles. Western Psychological Services.Google Scholar ↗
Ayres, A. J., & Network, P. T. (2005). Sensory integration and the child: 25th anniversary edition.Google Scholar ↗
Byl, N. N., Byl, F. M., & Rosenthal, J. H. (1989). Interaction of Spatial Perception, Vestibular Function, and Exercise in Young School Age Boys with Learning Disabilities. Perceptual and Motor Skills, 68(3), 727–738. https://doi.org/10.2466/pms.1989.68.3.727DOI ↗Google Scholar ↗
Cairney, J., Schmidt, L. A., Veldhuizen, S., Kurdyak, P., Hay, J., & Faught, B. E. (2008). Left-handedness and developmental coordination disorder. The Canadian Journal of Psychiatry, 53(10), 696-699.Google Scholar ↗
Coelho, C. M., & Balaban, D. (2014). Visuo-vestibular contributions to anxiety and fear. Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews.Google Scholar ↗
Demir, B. (2005). Okulöncesi ve ilköğretim birinci sınıfa devam eden öğrencilerde özel öğrenme güçlüğünün belirlenmesi. (Published master's thesis). Marmara University, Istanbul.Google Scholar ↗
DSM V, Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition. Arlington, VA, American Psychiatric Association, 2013, Special Learning Disorder.Google Scholar ↗
Fisher, A., & Bundy, A. (1989). Vestibular stimulation in the treatment of postural and related disorders. In O. D. Payton, R. P. DiFabio, S. V. Paris, E. J. Protas, & A. F. Van Sant (Eds.), Manual of physical therapy techniques (pp. 239–258). New York: Churchill Livingstone.Google Scholar ↗
Franco, E. S., & Panhoca, I. (2008). Vestibular function in children underperforming at school. Brazilian Journal of Otorhinolaryngology, 74(6), 815-825.Google Scholar ↗
Frank, J., & Levinson, H. N. Anti-motion sickness medications in dysmetric dyslexia and dyspraxia. Academic Therapy, 12(4), 411-424., (1977).Google Scholar ↗
Frank, J., & Levinson, H. N. Seasickness mechanisms and medications in dysmetric dyslexia and dyspraxia. Academic Therapy, 12(2), 133-153. , (1976).Google Scholar ↗
Frank, J., & Levinson, H. N., Dysmetric dyslexia and dyspraxia: Synopsis of a continuing research project. Academic Therapy, 11(2), 133-143., 1975Google Scholar ↗
Gerard, L. V. D. (1991). An investigation of gravitational insecurity with behaviorally inhibited children (Doctoral dissertation, Boston University).Google Scholar ↗
Hartmann, M., Farkas, R., & Mast, F. W. (2012). Self-motion perception influences number processing: evidence from a parity task. Cognitive Processing, 13(1), 189-192.Google Scholar ↗
Harwell, J. M., & Jackson, R. W. (2008). The complete learning disabilities handbook: Ready-to-use strategies and activities for teaching students with learning disabilities. John Wiley & Sons.Google Scholar ↗
Hilber, P., Cendelin, J., Le Gall, A., Machado, M. L., Tuma, J., & Besnard, S. (2019). Cooperation of the vestibular and cerebellar networks in anxiety disorders and depression. Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology and Biological Psychiatry, 89, 310-321.Google Scholar ↗
Isaacs, E. B., Edmonds, C. J., Lucas, A., Gadian, D. G. (2001). Calculation difficulties in children of very low birthweight: a neural correlate. Brain, 124(9), 1701-1707.Google Scholar ↗
Jerˆábek, J., Krejĉová, H. (1991). Oculomotor and vestibular findings in developmental dyslexia. Acta Oto-Laryngologica, 111(sup481), 513-514.Google Scholar ↗
Karaca ,O.,Karaca, D.,Çalış, S.,Yiğit,G. (2019) . Disleksi – Özgül Öğrenme Güçlüğü.Google Scholar ↗
Koomar J. , Vestibular dysfunction is associated with anxiety rather than behavioral inhibition or shyness, Boston University, ProQuest Dissertations Publishing, 1996. 9530623.Google Scholar ↗
Kushch, A. , Gross-Glenn, K. , Jallad, B. , Lubs, H. , Rabin, M., Feldman, E., & Duara, R. (1993). Temporal lobe surface area measurements on MRI in normal and dyslexic readers. Neuropsychologia, 31(8), 811-821. 20.Google Scholar ↗
Lee, L. (1987). Domain specification of gravitational insecurity for school aged children. Unpublished master’s thesis, Boston University.Google Scholar ↗
Levinson, H. N. (1988). The cerebellar-vestibular basis of learning disabilities in children, adolescents and adults: hypothesis and study. Perceptual and Motor Skills, 67(3), 983-1006E.Google Scholar ↗
May - Benson T., Performance of Typical Adults With and Without Self-Reported Fearfulness to Movement on the Gravitational Insecurity Assessment—Revised, American Journal of Occupational Therapy, August 2020, Vol. 74, 7411500028.Google Scholar ↗
May-Benson, T. A. (2015). Adult/Adolescent Sensory History Manual. Newton: Spiral Foundation.Google Scholar ↗
May-Benson, T. A., & Koomar, J. A. (2007). Identifying gravitational insecurity in children: A pilot study. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 61(2), 142-147.Google Scholar ↗
May-Benson, T. A., de Mello Gentil, J. L., & Teasdale, A. (2020). Characteristics and Prevalence of Gravitational Insecurity in Children with Sensory Processing Dysfunction. Research in developmental disabilities, 101, 103640.Google Scholar ↗
May-Benson, T. A., Teasdale, A., & Gentil, J. L. D. M. (2016). Gravitational Insecurity in Children With Sensory Integration and Processing Problems. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 70(4_Supplement_1), 7011500020p1-7011500020p1.Google Scholar ↗
May-Benson, T., Teasdale, A., & Faria, W. J. S. (2016). Incidence and patterns of gravitational insecurity in adults and adolescents. American Journal of Occupational Therapy.Google Scholar ↗
Miller, M., Chukoskie, L., Zinni, M., Townsend, J., & Trauner, D. (2014). Dyspraxia, motor function and visual–motor integration in autism. Behavioural brain research, 269, 95-102.Google Scholar ↗
Palmer, L. L. (1980). Auditory discrimination development through vestibulo-cochlear stimulation. Academic therapy, 16(1), 53-68.Google Scholar ↗
Pangelinan, M. M., Hatfield, B. D., Clark, J. E. (2013). Differences in movement-related cortical activation patterns underlying motor performance in children with and without developmental coordination disorder. Journal of neurophysiology, 109(12), 3041-3050.Google Scholar ↗
Pirozzolo, F. J., Rayner, K. (1979). The neural control of eye movements in acquired and developmental reading disorders. In Studies in neurolinguistics (pp. 97-123). Academic Press.Google Scholar ↗
Potegal, M. (2015). Is gravitational insecurity a unicorn. Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation International, 2(10), 1071.Google Scholar ↗
Potegal, M. May- Benson, T. (2018). University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN; 2Spiral Foundation, Watertown, MA AOTA Annual Conference, Salt Lake City, UT.Google Scholar ↗
Potegal, M., Pfaff, W.O., and Kroker E. (2018) Gravitational insecurity in children: A survey of occupational therapists’ observations. Indian Journal of Physiotherapy & Occupational Therapy, 12, 30-37Google Scholar ↗
Quirds, J.B. : Diagnosis of vestibular disorders in the learning disabled. Journal of Learning Disabilities, 1976, 9, 39-47Google Scholar ↗
Ranpura, A., Isaacs, E., Edmonds, C., Rogers, M., Lanigan, J., Singhal, A., Butterworth, B. (2013). Developmental trajectories of grey and white matter in dyscalculia. Trends in neuroscience and education, 2(2), 56-64.Google Scholar ↗
Rotzer, S., Kucian, K., Martin, E., von Aster, M., Klaver, P., & Loenneker, T. (2008). Optimized voxel-based morphometry in children with developmental dyscalculia. Neuroimage, 39(1), 417-422.Google Scholar ↗
Schaaf R., Mailloux Z., (2019). Ayres Duyu Bütünleme için Klinisyenin Uygulama Rehberi (translation editor Dr. Fzt. Aymen Balıkçı), SenseON.Google Scholar ↗
Shaywitz, S. E., Shaywitz, B. A. (2005). Dyslexia (specific reading disability). Biological psychiatry, 57(11), 1301-1309.Google Scholar ↗
Soper G., Thorley C., Effectiveness of an Occupational Therapy Programme Based on Sensory Integration Theory for Adults with Severe Learning Disabilities, First Published October 1, 1996 Research Article .Google Scholar ↗
Steinberg, M., & Rendle‐Short, J. (1977). Vestibular dysfunction in young children with minor neurological impairment. Developmental Medicine & Child Neurology, 19(5), 639-651.Google Scholar ↗
Stevens M. L., The status of vestibular-related parameters in relationship to learning ability in four-year old children born prematurely, University of Southern California, ProQuest Dissertations Publishing, 1983. EP62507.Google Scholar ↗
Tanrıdağ O., (2018), Çocuk Beyninin Gelişimi, Uskudar University Publications, s: 48.Google Scholar ↗
Van Hoorn, J. F., Maathuis, C. G., Hadders‐Algra, M. (2013). Neural correlates of paediatric dysgraphia. Developmental Medicine & Child Neurology, 55, 65-68.Google Scholar ↗
Weisberg, A. (1982). The comparison of autonomic nervous system responses in normal children and developmentally delayed, gravitationally insecure children between one and three years of age: A pilot study. Master’s Thesis. University of Southern California.Google Scholar ↗
Zwicker, J. G., Missiuna, C., Harris, S. R., Boyd, L. A. (2011). Brain activation associated with motor skill practice in children with developmental coordination disorder: an fMRI study. International Journal of Developmental Neuroscience, 29(2), 145-152Google Scholar ↗

[refR-1] Arsalidou, M., Pawliw-Levac, M., Sadeghi, M., & Pascual-Leone, J. (2018). Brain areas associated with numbers and calculations in children: Meta-analyses of fMRI studies. Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience, 30, 239-250.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-2] Ayres A. J., Learning Disabilities and the Vestibular System, University of South California, 1978Google Scholar ↗

[refR-3] Ayres AJ. Sensory integration and learning disorders. Los Angeles, CA; 1972Google Scholar ↗

[refR-4] Ayres, A. J. (1979). Sensory Integration and the Child, Los Angeles. Western Psychological Services.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-5] Ayres, A. J., & Network, P. T. (2005). Sensory integration and the child: 25th anniversary edition.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-6] Byl, N. N., Byl, F. M., & Rosenthal, J. H. (1989). Interaction of Spatial Perception, Vestibular Function, and Exercise in Young School Age Boys with Learning Disabilities. Perceptual and Motor Skills, 68(3), 727–738. https://doi.org/10.2466/pms.1989.68.3.727DOI ↗Google Scholar ↗

[refR-7] Cairney, J., Schmidt, L. A., Veldhuizen, S., Kurdyak, P., Hay, J., & Faught, B. E. (2008). Left-handedness and developmental coordination disorder. The Canadian Journal of Psychiatry, 53(10), 696-699.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-8] Coelho, C. M., & Balaban, D. (2014). Visuo-vestibular contributions to anxiety and fear. Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-9] Demir, B. (2005). Okulöncesi ve ilköğretim birinci sınıfa devam eden öğrencilerde özel öğrenme güçlüğünün belirlenmesi. (Published master's thesis). Marmara University, Istanbul.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-10] DSM V, Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition. Arlington, VA, American Psychiatric Association, 2013, Special Learning Disorder.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-11] Fisher, A., & Bundy, A. (1989). Vestibular stimulation in the treatment of postural and related disorders. In O. D. Payton, R. P. DiFabio, S. V. Paris, E. J. Protas, & A. F. Van Sant (Eds.), Manual of physical therapy techniques (pp. 239–258). New York: Churchill Livingstone.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-12] Franco, E. S., & Panhoca, I. (2008). Vestibular function in children underperforming at school. Brazilian Journal of Otorhinolaryngology, 74(6), 815-825.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-13] Frank, J., & Levinson, H. N. Anti-motion sickness medications in dysmetric dyslexia and dyspraxia. Academic Therapy, 12(4), 411-424., (1977).Google Scholar ↗

[refR-14] Frank, J., & Levinson, H. N. Seasickness mechanisms and medications in dysmetric dyslexia and dyspraxia. Academic Therapy, 12(2), 133-153. , (1976).Google Scholar ↗

[refR-15] Frank, J., & Levinson, H. N., Dysmetric dyslexia and dyspraxia: Synopsis of a continuing research project. Academic Therapy, 11(2), 133-143., 1975Google Scholar ↗

[refR-16] Gerard, L. V. D. (1991). An investigation of gravitational insecurity with behaviorally inhibited children (Doctoral dissertation, Boston University).Google Scholar ↗

[refR-17] Hartmann, M., Farkas, R., & Mast, F. W. (2012). Self-motion perception influences number processing: evidence from a parity task. Cognitive Processing, 13(1), 189-192.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-18] Harwell, J. M., & Jackson, R. W. (2008). The complete learning disabilities handbook: Ready-to-use strategies and activities for teaching students with learning disabilities. John Wiley & Sons.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-19] Hilber, P., Cendelin, J., Le Gall, A., Machado, M. L., Tuma, J., & Besnard, S. (2019). Cooperation of the vestibular and cerebellar networks in anxiety disorders and depression. Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology and Biological Psychiatry, 89, 310-321.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-20] Isaacs, E. B., Edmonds, C. J., Lucas, A., Gadian, D. G. (2001). Calculation difficulties in children of very low birthweight: a neural correlate. Brain, 124(9), 1701-1707.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-21] Jerˆábek, J., Krejĉová, H. (1991). Oculomotor and vestibular findings in developmental dyslexia. Acta Oto-Laryngologica, 111(sup481), 513-514.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-22] Karaca ,O.,Karaca, D.,Çalış, S.,Yiğit,G. (2019) . Disleksi – Özgül Öğrenme Güçlüğü.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-23] Koomar J. , Vestibular dysfunction is associated with anxiety rather than behavioral inhibition or shyness, Boston University, ProQuest Dissertations Publishing, 1996. 9530623.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-24] Kushch, A. , Gross-Glenn, K. , Jallad, B. , Lubs, H. , Rabin, M., Feldman, E., & Duara, R. (1993). Temporal lobe surface area measurements on MRI in normal and dyslexic readers. Neuropsychologia, 31(8), 811-821. 20.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-25] Lee, L. (1987). Domain specification of gravitational insecurity for school aged children. Unpublished master’s thesis, Boston University.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-26] Levinson, H. N. (1988). The cerebellar-vestibular basis of learning disabilities in children, adolescents and adults: hypothesis and study. Perceptual and Motor Skills, 67(3), 983-1006E.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-27] May - Benson T., Performance of Typical Adults With and Without Self-Reported Fearfulness to Movement on the Gravitational Insecurity Assessment—Revised, American Journal of Occupational Therapy, August 2020, Vol. 74, 7411500028.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-28] May-Benson, T. A. (2015). Adult/Adolescent Sensory History Manual. Newton: Spiral Foundation.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-29] May-Benson, T. A., & Koomar, J. A. (2007). Identifying gravitational insecurity in children: A pilot study. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 61(2), 142-147.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-30] May-Benson, T. A., de Mello Gentil, J. L., & Teasdale, A. (2020). Characteristics and Prevalence of Gravitational Insecurity in Children with Sensory Processing Dysfunction. Research in developmental disabilities, 101, 103640.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-31] May-Benson, T. A., Teasdale, A., & Gentil, J. L. D. M. (2016). Gravitational Insecurity in Children With Sensory Integration and Processing Problems. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 70(4_Supplement_1), 7011500020p1-7011500020p1.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-32] May-Benson, T., Teasdale, A., & Faria, W. J. S. (2016). Incidence and patterns of gravitational insecurity in adults and adolescents. American Journal of Occupational Therapy.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-33] Miller, M., Chukoskie, L., Zinni, M., Townsend, J., & Trauner, D. (2014). Dyspraxia, motor function and visual–motor integration in autism. Behavioural brain research, 269, 95-102.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-34] Palmer, L. L. (1980). Auditory discrimination development through vestibulo-cochlear stimulation. Academic therapy, 16(1), 53-68.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-35] Pangelinan, M. M., Hatfield, B. D., Clark, J. E. (2013). Differences in movement-related cortical activation patterns underlying motor performance in children with and without developmental coordination disorder. Journal of neurophysiology, 109(12), 3041-3050.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-36] Pirozzolo, F. J., Rayner, K. (1979). The neural control of eye movements in acquired and developmental reading disorders. In Studies in neurolinguistics (pp. 97-123). Academic Press.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-37] Potegal, M. (2015). Is gravitational insecurity a unicorn. Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation International, 2(10), 1071.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-38] Potegal, M. May- Benson, T. (2018). University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN; 2Spiral Foundation, Watertown, MA AOTA Annual Conference, Salt Lake City, UT.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-39] Potegal, M., Pfaff, W.O., and Kroker E. (2018) Gravitational insecurity in children: A survey of occupational therapists’ observations. Indian Journal of Physiotherapy & Occupational Therapy, 12, 30-37Google Scholar ↗

[refR-40] Quirds, J.B. : Diagnosis of vestibular disorders in the learning disabled. Journal of Learning Disabilities, 1976, 9, 39-47Google Scholar ↗

[refR-41] Ranpura, A., Isaacs, E., Edmonds, C., Rogers, M., Lanigan, J., Singhal, A., Butterworth, B. (2013). Developmental trajectories of grey and white matter in dyscalculia. Trends in neuroscience and education, 2(2), 56-64.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-42] Rotzer, S., Kucian, K., Martin, E., von Aster, M., Klaver, P., & Loenneker, T. (2008). Optimized voxel-based morphometry in children with developmental dyscalculia. Neuroimage, 39(1), 417-422.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-43] Schaaf R., Mailloux Z., (2019). Ayres Duyu Bütünleme için Klinisyenin Uygulama Rehberi (translation editor Dr. Fzt. Aymen Balıkçı), SenseON.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-44] Shaywitz, S. E., Shaywitz, B. A. (2005). Dyslexia (specific reading disability). Biological psychiatry, 57(11), 1301-1309.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-45] Soper G., Thorley C., Effectiveness of an Occupational Therapy Programme Based on Sensory Integration Theory for Adults with Severe Learning Disabilities, First Published October 1, 1996 Research Article .Google Scholar ↗

[refR-46] Steinberg, M., & Rendle‐Short, J. (1977). Vestibular dysfunction in young children with minor neurological impairment. Developmental Medicine & Child Neurology, 19(5), 639-651.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-47] Stevens M. L., The status of vestibular-related parameters in relationship to learning ability in four-year old children born prematurely, University of Southern California, ProQuest Dissertations Publishing, 1983. EP62507.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-48] Tanrıdağ O., (2018), Çocuk Beyninin Gelişimi, Uskudar University Publications, s: 48.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-49] Van Hoorn, J. F., Maathuis, C. G., Hadders‐Algra, M. (2013). Neural correlates of paediatric dysgraphia. Developmental Medicine & Child Neurology, 55, 65-68.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-50] Weisberg, A. (1982). The comparison of autonomic nervous system responses in normal children and developmentally delayed, gravitationally insecure children between one and three years of age: A pilot study. Master’s Thesis. University of Southern California.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-51] Zwicker, J. G., Missiuna, C., Harris, S. R., Boyd, L. A. (2011). Brain activation associated with motor skill practice in children with developmental coordination disorder: an fMRI study. International Journal of Developmental Neuroscience, 29(2), 145-152Google Scholar ↗