Left-right asymmetries in sensorimotor abilities (based on the Tactile Finger Localization, Fingertip Number Writing, Finger Tapping, Grip Strength, and Tactual Performance Tests of the Halstead-Reitan Battery) were compared among groups of 30 normal, 60 learning-disabled, and 20 brain-damaged adults aged 17 to 29 yr. The normal and learning-disabled groups (which did not differ) had significantly fewer asymmetries than the brain-damaged group. However, 36% of the learning-disabled group who had a Halstead Impairment Index ≥ 0.4, also had significantly more sensorimotor asymmetries than the normals. These results support the idea of an association between neurobehavioral deficits and learning disabilities for this age group.
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