Some interesting research was published in the Journal of Learning Disabilities. The Movement Assessment Battery for Children (MABC) was performed on 137 children with learning disabilities (IQ>80). The following results were seen
52.6% scored below the 15th percentile on manual dexterity
40.9% scored below the 15th percentile on ball skills
33.7% scored below the 15th percentile on balance skills
In addition, when controlled for IQ the following small to moderate correlations were seen between
spelling and math scores and overall MABC score
mathematics and balance scores
reading and ball skills
spelling and manual dexterity.
Reference: Pieter Jelle Vuijk, Esther Hartman,Remo Mombarg,Erik Scherder, and Chris Visscher Associations Between Academic and Motor Performance in a Heterogeneous Sample of Children With Learning Disabilities J Learn Disabil May/June 2011 44: 276-282, doi:10.1177/0022219410378446
- 52.6% scored below the 15th percentile on manual dexterity
- 40.9% scored below the 15th percentile on ball skills
- 33.7% scored below the 15th percentile on balance skills
In addition, when controlled for IQ the following small to moderate correlations were seen between- spelling and math scores and overall MABC score
- mathematics and balance scores
- reading and ball skills
- spelling and manual dexterity.
Reference: Pieter Jelle Vuijk, Esther Hartman,Remo Mombarg,Erik Scherder, and Chris Visscher Associations Between Academic and Motor Performance in a Heterogeneous Sample of Children With Learning Disabilities J Learn Disabil May/June 2011 44: 276-282, doi:10.1177/0022219410378446