Functional status in 5 to 7-year-old children with Down syndrome in relation to motor ability and performance mental ability.

Purpose: To examine the contribution of motor ability and 'performance' mental ability on functional skills in children with Down syndrome (DS).

Method: A structural equation modelling approach was used to test the relation between motor ability, performance mental ability and functional status. Functional status was assessed with the Pediatric Evaluation Disability Inventory (PEDI), motor ability with the Movement Assessment Battery for Children (M-ABC), and performance mental ability was assessed with the Gross-Form Board (GFB).