Evaluation of fine motor skills of children with Down syndrome in the handling of the material LEGO® education

Abstract

Introduction: Down syndrome (DS), first described in 1866 by John Langdon Down, also known as Trisomy 21, has specific features, such as delays in motor development and decreased muscle tone. Among the characteristics of DS, the present study highlights the manual function and the skills for handling LEGO® blocks, which involve fine motor coordination, grip strength, and precision for fitting them together. Objective: To investigate and describe the characteristics of fine motor skills and grip strength of children with DS for handling LEGO® material and the participants' interest in performing the proposed tasks. Method: The study was cross-sectional, exploratory, and descriptive research. Nineteen children aged between 6 and 12 participated, 9 with DS and 10 without the syndrome. The evaluation of manual pinches (tripod pinch, digital pinch, pluri-digital pinch, handgrip pinch, or strength) occurred in person, with the realization of filming authorized by those guardians. Aspects of interest and attention during the activities were also analyzed. Results: The pinches models used by the groups were the same. Some difficulties of the DSG in the fittings were observed, involving grip strength, visuomotor coordination, and attention. Conclusion: The data reinforce the presence of specific challenges for DS children and the need for studies that identify variables that can be configured as facilitators for the handling of the material, such as color identification, visuomotor coordination, attention, communication and the construction of a repertoire on the possible assemblies with LEGO®, to support the therapeutic planning with the use of this material and promote fine motor development, communication, and social interactions, as recommended in the literature.