Treating the perceptual- motor problems of adult males

Abstract

Articles regarding perceptual-motor deficiencies of adults are beginning to be published in the literature (Saunders and Barker, 1972). It seems that, even though many children are now being treated for this disorder at or before school-going age, many people had perceptual-motor problems years ago when there was no knowledge of the disorder or its treatment. More than likely, as children, these people were considered to be simply low in intelligence. Now, however, those children have grown up and, with the information we have, it is possible to ascertain from their symptoms, even as adults, that perceptual-motor problems exist. Once it can be established that such difficulties exist, measures can be taken to alleviate them. Saunders and Barker (1972) used a remedial reading technique to help their subjects learn to read, and psychotropic drugs to help them over their emotional problems related to the perceptual dysfunction. The drugs helped the adults, the remedial reading programme did not. This present study was concerned with improving perceptual-motor deficiencies in adults using a behaviour modification approach. A largo sample of adult subjects was available in the population of Malawian males, novices to the mining industry, who were to undergo a three-week training programme in preparation for work underground. Perceptual-motor testing and discussions with the mine personnel assured the author that most of these subjects did suffer from perceptual-motor problems.