Repetitive graphomotor output in learning‐disabled and nonlearning‐disabled children: The repeated patterns test

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Abstract
Difficulty with the production of written language, or dysgraphia, is a common complaint among learning‐disabled (LD) children. The prevalence and severity of graphomotor output difficulties among LD children were assessed by the Repeated Patterns Test—a brief screening instrument The task, was administered to 174 children who were referred for evaluation of learning disability and 229 non‐LD school children between the ages of 8 and 16 years old, as well as to 51 children at risk for learning disabilities because of their leukemia treatment. Sixty‐seven percent of the LD children and 44% of the leukemia patients scored below normative expectation for age and sex. Sex differences were documented for all three groups. We conclude that graphomotor output is a significant problem for a majority of children referred for learning disability even when language‐processing demands are minimized, and that the Repeated Patterns Test can provide a brief, reliable, and sensitive means to detect such problems.