A new holistic physiotherapy services for developmental coordination disorder in Kuwait

Abstract

Background: In Kuwait, there is a Supreme Council for the Disabled. This council is supported by the government and has the responsibility to provide the facilities needed for children with disabilities. However, there is a group of children with special needs who are often deprived of these facilities: those with developmental coordination disorder (DCD) who might be misdiagnosed or under diagnosed. Children with DCD look like normal children and do not have any physical or intellectual disabilities. They have difficulties coordinating their movements and so performing activities. Children avoid activities they find difficult, some become frustrated, and some exhibit unusual behaviour or are naughty. Commonly, they are referred to clinics because of their behavioral and/or learning difficulties, not because of their motor difficulties which are discovered later and sometimes not at all. A study conduct in Kuwait found 5.8% of 5–9 years old children having DCD. Those children are not receiving services provided by health and educational sectors. They may be under-diagnosed and do not categorized as having special needs. Children with DCD are as entitled to appropriate diagnosis and service as any other children in society. Purpose: To provide children with DCDwith appropriate physiotherapy services to overcome their activities’ limitations and facilitate their participation in their communities. Another objective is to help teachers identifying childrenwith DCD in early stages and guide them for the clinic’s services. In addition, we aim to make the community aware of DCD. Methods: The clinic was established by expert physiotherapist in DCD who uses the concept of the ICF Model in evaluating and treating children with DCD. The diagnostic assessments used are the MABC-2-Arabic and DCDQ’07Arabic which have been validated for Kuwaiti culture. Statistical study is used to monitor the prevalence of DCD in Kuwait. Clear operational policy and strategic plan were established. Health promotion programs were conducted to make community aware of DCD through TV episodes, lectures and workshops, and publications. Results: The developmental Medicine physicians in Sabah hospital cooperate with the clinic by referring all children with motor difficulties following the referral policy of the clinic. Up to date, 50 cases have been referred from different hospitals inKuwait. Lectureswere given for 250 teachers. Workshops were administered for six primary schools, in each school 60–70 participants. Seventeen episodes were recorded in Kuwait TV part of community awareness. Cooperation with Health Promotion Department was established to plan new promotion projects for DCD. Conclusion(s): The clinic has been officially opened under the auspices ofMinister of Health inKuwait. The clinic succeeded in targeted children with DCD and it was a good model for health services and promotion in the field of pediatric physiotherapy. The Term DCD became familiar in the health and educational sectors. Implications: Physiotherapy clinic helps in identifying school-aged childrenwith DCD andmake community aware. New educational method could applied to ease learning for children with DCD. It has been suggested to share our experience with other countries in the region.