It is widely know that the pattern of human handedness is such that approximately 90% of the population is right handed with the remainder being left handed, at least in the adult population. What is less well understood is how handedness develops and at what age adult-like handedness patterns emerge. Quantified in terms of both preference and performance, a plethora of different behavioural assessments are currently in use with both children and adults. Handedness questionnaires are commonly used; however, these possess inherent limitations, considering their subjective nature. Hand performance measures have also been implemented; however, such tasks appear to measure different components of handedness. In addition to these traditional measures, handedness has been successfully assessed through observation of hand selection in reaching, which has proven to be a unique and effective manner in understanding the development of handedness in children. Research over the past several decades has demonstrated that young children display weak, inconsistent hand preference tendencies and are slower with both hands. Performance differences between the hands are larger for young children, and consistency improves with age. However, there remains some controversy surrounding the age at which hand preference and hand performance abilities can be considered fully developed. The following paper will provide a review of the literature pertaining to hand preference, performance abilities and hand selection in children in an attempt to ascertain the age at which adult-like patterns of hand preference and performance emerge.

Handedness is defined by the individual's preference to use one hand predominately for unimanual tasks and the ability to perform these tasks more efficiently with one hand (Corey, Hurley, & Foundas, 2001). It is important to use performance variables to measure handedness because they are more objective than traditional hand preference questionnaires (Bryden, Pryde, & Roy, 2000a). The current study develops a predictive model of handedness as measured by the Waterloo Handedness Questionnaire (WHQ) using several performance indicators of handedness. A total of 120 individuals (60 right-handers and 60 left-handers) were asked to complete four performance-based tasks: the Grooved Pegboard (GP), the Annett pegboard (AP), finger tapping (FT), and grip strength (GS) as well as an observational measure of preference, the Wathand Box Test (WBT). Backward linear regression analysis showed that the Wathand Box measure and the laterality quotients for several performance measures (GP place, AP, and FT) combined to act as the most accurate predictors of hand preference. The predictive model of handedness developed is as follows: WHQ = -2.760- – 0.667(GP place) + 0.809(FT) + 0.234(WBT) – 0.748(AP) with an explained variance of 0.836. These results illustrate, as Corey et al. (2001) suggested, that the best predictive model of handedness combines preference measures and several performance measures that tap into different elements of motor performance. By developing this model, it is possible to get an accurate measure of handedness using objective measures.

Background: The primary purpose of this exploratory autism research was to examine the lived experiences of female primary caregivers of children with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Methods: Specifically the costs and benefits of the primary caregivers’ experiences were examined through semi-structured one-one-one interviews. The specific focus of this paper was to examine the costs of caring for a child with an ASD, whereby costs did not refer solely to monetary costs, but were related to all aspects of the caregivers’ lives. Interviews were completed with 8 mothers of children that had been formally diagnosed with an ASD. Results: Undoubtedly all family members within the family unit were affected by a child’s diagnosis with ASD as evidenced by the costs revealed by mothers. The subthemes derived from the theme of costs included the following: financial and work costs, costs to the health of family, social costs, and costs to overall family life. The results from this research provide evidence of the challenges associated with caring for a child with an ASD. Conclusions: It is anticipated that the insights provided by these mothers can act as a source of support for others faced with a similar situation. Additionally health care professionals may be able to use the knowledge gained from such qualitative endeavors in order to help parents cope more effectively with their caregiving responsibilities associated with children with ASDs. The mothers within this study are remarkable women that, for the most part, were able to rise above the negatives/costs associated with caring for a child with an ASD and find the silver linings amidst the turmoil. As remarkable as these women are in the daily struggles they face with their children, it is evident that more resources and support are required to assist these women and their families.