Abstract
Background: Developmental coordination disorder (DCD) affects motor skills and consequently has an impact on the performance in daily living activities of learners with this impairment.Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of possible DCD in Grade 1 (Gr. 1) learners in a low socio-economic environment in Mangaung, South Africa.Setting: The study was conducted in the Mangaung Metro, Motheo District, Free State Province. Gr. 1 learners, 6–8 years old (n = 242), from a low socio-economic environment attending Quintile 1–3 schools were randomly selected for assessment.Methods: The Movement Assessment Battery for Children-2nd edition (MABC-2) was used to identify learners with possible DCD. Furthermore, results were compared with regard to gender.Results: Of the 242 learners, 9.9% were identified with possible DCD. With regard to gender, 10.5% of boys and 9.3% of girls showed signs of possible DCD. No significant difference (p = 0.9439) has been found between boys and girls.Conclusion: The prevalence of possible DCD among Gr. 1 learners in this setting was higher than that in previously reported studies in other low and high socio-economic environments of South Africa. Further research is required to establish the full extent of possible DCD within learners living in low socio-economic environments.
Highlights
Developmental coordination disorder (DCD) can be defined as motor performances that are substantially below the expected levels of the child’s ability, considering the child’s chronological age and previous opportunities for gaining skills (American Psychiatric Association [APA] 2013)
The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence of possible DCD among Grade 1 (Gr. 1) learners living in low socio-economic environments in Mangaung, Motheo District, Free State Province, South Africa, and to establish whether a significant difference between boys and girls could be observed
The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of possible DCD in Gr.1 learners between the age of 6 and 8 years, living in low socio-economic environments in the Motheo District of Mangaung, South Africa, and compare the findings of boys and girls participating in the study
Summary
Developmental coordination disorder (DCD) can be defined as motor performances that are substantially below the expected levels of the child’s ability, considering the child’s chronological age and previous opportunities for gaining skills (American Psychiatric Association [APA] 2013). DCD is defined as a neuro-motor developmental disorder, which includes a ‘significant delay in the acquisition and execution of coordinated motor skills as expected for the child’s chronological age and opportunities for learning’ (APA 2013; Blank et al 2012). The definition clearly states that DCD is a motor skill disorder, which influences a child’s activities during daily routines, learning performance and coordinated skill development. Developmental coordination disorder (DCD) affects motor skills and has an impact on the performance in daily living activities of learners with this impairment
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
