In a review of available evidence on motor and cognitive processes, four conclusions were described by Diamond (2000). First, neuroimaging studies frequently point out that tasks that activate the prefrontal cortex, an area of the brain associated with attention, also activate areas of the brain necessary to motor processing, specifically the cerebellum. Second, damage to certain areas of the prefrontal cortex or cerebellum often results in a reduction of activity in parts of the other area (i.e., damage to the prefrontal cortex results in activity reduction in the cerebellum and vice versa,) suggesting that these two regions are dependent on each other for normal functioning. Third, children who are diagnosed with cognitive disorders (e.g., ADHD and dyslexia,) often experience motor impairments; furthermore, children with motor impairments frequently exhibit learning difficulties. Lastly, Diamond suggested …show more content…
At least half of all ADHD children have poor motor coordination and fit the diagnosis for developmental coordination disorder (Diamond, 2000). Children with ADHD generally exhibit motor problems associated with cerebellar dysfunction (e.g., balance problems) as well as motor issues such as poor handwriting (Diamond, 2000). Problems with movement are also common in children with language disorders or dyslexia, however linguistics is the main focus of these deficits despite it being reported that children with language disorders often show a deficit in the ability to produce familiar hand postures similar to that seen in children who present with developmental coordination disorders (Hill, Bishop, & Nimmo-Smith, 1998 as cited by Diamond,