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The robot guiding Tom's writing The robot guiding Tom's writing
(3 days later)
By Jane Elliott Health reporter, BBC NewsBy Jane Elliott Health reporter, BBC News
Tom actually enjoys his homeworkTom actually enjoys his homework
Tom Powis has trouble writing, fastening buttons and tying shoelaces.Tom Powis has trouble writing, fastening buttons and tying shoelaces.
The youngest of triplets, 11-year-old Tom's fine motor skills lag behind those of siblings Olly and Jack.The youngest of triplets, 11-year-old Tom's fine motor skills lag behind those of siblings Olly and Jack.
Despite the fact that he is academically above average, his handwriting problems mean he is often wrongly placed in a lower ability group. Despite the fact that he is academically above average, his handwriting problems mean he was often wrongly placed in a lower ability group.
His mother Gillian, a physiotherapist, explained that Tom's dyspraxia - an impairment or immaturity of the organisation of movement - has left him frustrated and struggling.His mother Gillian, a physiotherapist, explained that Tom's dyspraxia - an impairment or immaturity of the organisation of movement - has left him frustrated and struggling.
Writing practise
He has to continuously practise his writing and movement - exercises that he finds difficult, boring and tiring.He has to continuously practise his writing and movement - exercises that he finds difficult, boring and tiring.
But a new robotic arm could hold the answer.But a new robotic arm could hold the answer.
For the last few weeks Tom has been using a hi-tech robotic arm to practise his fine movement skills.For the last few weeks Tom has been using a hi-tech robotic arm to practise his fine movement skills.
DYSPRAXIA A general deficit in motor skills, affecting coordination and movementChildren with dyspraxia struggle with skilful, controlled actions, making simple daily tasks such as buttoning their coat or using cutlery much more difficultProblems with handwriting mean they struggle with school work, which can mean they get left behind or lose self-confidenceDYSPRAXIA A general deficit in motor skills, affecting coordination and movementChildren with dyspraxia struggle with skilful, controlled actions, making simple daily tasks such as buttoning their coat or using cutlery much more difficultProblems with handwriting mean they struggle with school work, which can mean they get left behind or lose self-confidence
The system has been developed and tested by a Leeds University team, working in collaboration with colleagues at the universities of Aberdeen in Scotland and Indiana in the US. The system has been developed and tested by a Leeds University team, working in collaboration with colleagues at the universities of Aberdeen in the UK and Indiana in the US.
It allows children with coordination problems to practise therapist-prescribed exercises at home using an interactive desk-top system, which can also monitor how they move, measuring things like smoothness and speed of movement.It allows children with coordination problems to practise therapist-prescribed exercises at home using an interactive desk-top system, which can also monitor how they move, measuring things like smoothness and speed of movement.
The exercises involve children using a pen, guided by the robotic arm, to push objects along a 3D track shown on a computer screen.The exercises involve children using a pen, guided by the robotic arm, to push objects along a 3D track shown on a computer screen.
And the techniques are already proving a big hit with Tom and the rest of the family.And the techniques are already proving a big hit with Tom and the rest of the family.
"Tom is very keen to do the exercises," said Gillian."Tom is very keen to do the exercises," said Gillian.
"Even though it it is early stages it is encouraging movement patterns and is a fun way to do repetition."Even though it it is early stages it is encouraging movement patterns and is a fun way to do repetition.
"Everyone wants to have a go, including his brothers.""Everyone wants to have a go, including his brothers."
Home therapyHome therapy
Lead researcher professor Mark Mon-Williams said one of the big benefits of the system is that it is portable and can be used at home.Lead researcher professor Mark Mon-Williams said one of the big benefits of the system is that it is portable and can be used at home.
Early trials of the robot have proved 'very promising' and Professor Mon-Williams said it could prove the answer to a shortage of therapists.Early trials of the robot have proved 'very promising' and Professor Mon-Williams said it could prove the answer to a shortage of therapists.
At least 5% of children - roughly one child in every classroom - are affected by dyspraxia.At least 5% of children - roughly one child in every classroom - are affected by dyspraxia.
The majority of these youngsters will not receive the level of help they need due to high demand on limited occupational therapy resources - some may be seen just once a year.The majority of these youngsters will not receive the level of help they need due to high demand on limited occupational therapy resources - some may be seen just once a year.
All three boys want to use the robot armAll three boys want to use the robot arm
"There aren't enough therapists available for the number of children who have movement difficulties in the UK," said Professor Mon-Williams."There aren't enough therapists available for the number of children who have movement difficulties in the UK," said Professor Mon-Williams.
"So increasingly we need to move towards assisted technologies to fill the gap.""So increasingly we need to move towards assisted technologies to fill the gap."
He said that in the past it had been assumed that children like Tom would 'grow out' of their dyspraxia, but this has turned out not to be the case.He said that in the past it had been assumed that children like Tom would 'grow out' of their dyspraxia, but this has turned out not to be the case.
"In the past people thought, 'so you are not very good at handwriting or using cutlery, how much of a problem is that'?"In the past people thought, 'so you are not very good at handwriting or using cutlery, how much of a problem is that'?
"What we now know is that this is an enormous problem and that kids who have movement problems have difficulties."What we now know is that this is an enormous problem and that kids who have movement problems have difficulties.
"These kids really have a hard time and have a very poor outcome."These kids really have a hard time and have a very poor outcome.
"But there is very good evidence that if you give these children therapeutic interventions that problems are decreased.""But there is very good evidence that if you give these children therapeutic interventions that problems are decreased."
'Good fun''Good fun'
Gillian, from North Yorkshire, said without this help that children like Tom can become frustrated and despondent by their lack of progress.Gillian, from North Yorkshire, said without this help that children like Tom can become frustrated and despondent by their lack of progress.
"Writing is so important," said Gillian, adding that once a child dropped behind it was often difficult to catch up."Writing is so important," said Gillian, adding that once a child dropped behind it was often difficult to catch up.
"But the robot is really good fun. Children need the intense input and using the robot with visual feedback makes it fun to learn and easier to learn."But the robot is really good fun. Children need the intense input and using the robot with visual feedback makes it fun to learn and easier to learn.
The arm guides the child's movementsThe arm guides the child's movements
"The potential for this is huge.""The potential for this is huge."
Dr Yolande Harley, deputy director of Research at Action Medical Research, which has funded it, agreed.Dr Yolande Harley, deputy director of Research at Action Medical Research, which has funded it, agreed.
"Providing therapy for children's coordination problems will bring all-round benefits, helping them to do better at school, make friends and enjoy physical activities and hobbies," she said."Providing therapy for children's coordination problems will bring all-round benefits, helping them to do better at school, make friends and enjoy physical activities and hobbies," she said.
Further tests are now planned to investigate how long the robot should be used to get the best outcome and which children could benefit the most.Further tests are now planned to investigate how long the robot should be used to get the best outcome and which children could benefit the most.
The basic system, or a form of it, could be widely available by 2012.The basic system, or a form of it, could be widely available by 2012.