Diagnosis Of Developmental Coordination Disorder Research Articles

Diagnostic services for developmental coordination disorder: Gaps and opportunities identified by parents.

Affecting one in 20 children, Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) is a common neurodevelopmental disorder impacting a child's ability to learn motor skills. Despite its high prevalence, DCD is under-recognized and under-diagnosed, causing unnecessary frustration and stress for families who are seeking help for their child. This study aimed to understand how parents procure diagnostic services and their perspectives on needed supports and services to improve early identification and diagnosis of DCD. Using a multi-pronged recruitment strategy, we circulated the impACT for DCD online questionnaire to parents of children (<18 years) in British Columbia with suspected or diagnosed DCD. Data were analysed descriptively using medians/interquartile ranges for continuous data and frequencies/percentages for categorical data. Open-ended questions were analysed using exploratory content analysis. A total of 237 respondent data were analysed. Parents identified poor awareness and understanding of health care professionals and educators regarding aetiology, symptomology, and impacts of DCD, affecting timely access to diagnostic services. Long waitlists were also a barrier that often led families with financial means to procure private diagnostic assessments. A standard of care is needed for streamlined diagnostic services, enabling early identification and early intervention. A publicly funded, family-centred, collaborative care approach is critical to assess, diagnose, and treat children with this disorder and to mitigate the secondary physical and mental health consequences associated with DCD.

נופלים בין הכיסאות: תת-אבחון של DCD ביַלְדוּת והשלכותיו בקרב מבוגרים צעירים עם קשיים בקואורדינציה מוטורית

Background: Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) is prevalent among 6-8% of school-age children, and is defined by major motor-coordination difficulties that significantly and persistently hinder participation in daily activities and quality of life. Evidence suggests that early detection and intervention may improve children with DCDs' daily function and reduce their emotional difficulties. Clinical reports points to possible under diagnosis of DCD. However, the extent of this phenomenon is unknown. The aim of this study was to describe retrospectively the prevalence of receiving DCD diagnosis in a convenience sample of young adults with motor difficulties, as well as to explore their perspectives on receiving a diagnosis. Methods: This mix methods study, included 54 young adults (aged 21-35 years) who met the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders 5th edition criteria for DCD were recruited for this study: Percentile &lt; 5 on standardized motor assessment, the Movement Assessment Battery for Children 2nd Edition, report of current and childhood functional-motor difficulties on the Adolescents and Adults Coordination Questionnaire and lack of other neurological conditions such as cerebral palsy. Participants with health conditions other than DCD were excluded. Participants reported on the existence of childhood DCD/Dyspraxia diagnoses and on developmental supports they were received during their childhood. Ten participants were interviewed regarding their perspective on receiving a formal diagnosis. Results: Only three (5.56%) participants were diagnosed with DCD during their childhood. However, 39 (72.22%) received at list one kind of professional support: 22 (40.74%) occupational therapy, 10 (22.73%) physiotherapy, 15 (27.78%) speech therapy, 18 (33.33%) psychotherapy and 10 (22.73%) other complementary treatments. Interviews analysis revealed: (1) childhood included confusion and "otherness", in the absence of an explanation for motor challenges; (2) environmental lack of legitimacy and unawareness of DCD during childhood; and (3) validation and enhanced sense of coherence following a diagnosis. Conclusion: Although identified with difficulties and referred for professional support, adults with DCD were under diagnosed in childhood. As diagnosis can validate 'otherness' experience, under diagnosis can exacerbate stress associated with motor-functional difficulty. To prevent the consequences of future motor difficulties, DCD should be diagnosed in childhood, according to international recommendations.

Caregiver burden and mental health: Parent perspectives when raising a child with developmental coordination disorder

BackgroundChildren with Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) are at high risk for mental health disorders, stemming from challenges participating in motor activities. Parents of children with DCD report increased caregiver burden exacerbated by insufficient support and services for their child. A paucity of literature exists on parent and child mental health associated with a DCD diagnosis. AimsTo explore parent perceptions of their child’s mental health, and the impact of DCD on family and parental mental health. Methods and proceduresImplementation of a secondary analysis using the impACT for DCD, a cross-sectional online survey of parents of children with self-reported suspected or confirmed diagnosis of DCD living in British Columbia, Canada. Data analysis included descriptive and inferential statistics and content analysis. Outcomes and resultsOf the 237 participants, more than one third of parents (36%) rated their own mental health to be fair or poor, and the majority (90%) expressed concern for their child’s mental health. Themes emerged on the impact of DCD on child, parent, and family, influenced by access to resources. Conclusions and implicationsStandard of care for DCD needs to include services and supports that address caregiver burden and mental health of children with DCD and their families. What this paper addsThis paper explores parent perceptions of their child(ren)'s and their own mental health when raising a child with DCD in British Columbia (BC). In BC, there is a lack of research on the mental health challenges families face when their child has a diagnosis of DCD. Amongst health care providers, there tends to be a focus on DCD as a motor disorder, with limited understanding and acknowledgement of the mental health component for children and their families. Thus, this study will inform health-care providers, parents, educators, and policy makers on parent-identified mental health needs and the essential services and supports. Unique to this study was the inclusion of a descriptive and exploratory content analysis, providing a holistic understanding of parents’ perceptions regarding the impact of DCD on their children and themselves. Our results revealed that parents perceive significant inter-connected impacts of DCD on the child, parents, and family, leading to poor mental health for parents and their child(ren). Limited access to resources and supports results in a negative trajectory for family mental health and well-being. Study results indicate the critical importance of addressing mental health, in addition to motor challenges. Healthcare providers need to adopt a family-centred approach to address the physical and psychosocial impairments associated with DCD, ensuring positive outcomes for children and their families.

Pathogenetic Insights into Developmental Coordination Disorder Reveal Substantial Overlap with Movement Disorders.

Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) is a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by non-progressive central motor impairments. Mild movement disorder features have been observed in DCD. Until now, the etiology of DCD has been unclear. Recent studies suggested a genetic substrate in some patients with DCD, but comprehensive knowledge about associated genes and underlying pathogenetic mechanisms is still lacking. In this study, we first identified genes described in the literature in patients with a diagnosis of DCD according to the official diagnostic criteria. Second, we exposed the underlying pathogenetic mechanisms of DCD, by investigating tissue- and temporal gene expression patterns and brain-specific biological mechanisms. Third, we explored putative shared pathogenetic mechanisms between DCD and frequent movement disorders with a known genetic component, including ataxia, chorea, dystonia, and myoclonus. We identified 12 genes associated with DCD in the literature, which are ubiquitously expressed in the central nervous system throughout brain development. These genes are involved in cellular processes, neural signaling, and nervous system development. There was a remarkable overlap (62%) in pathogenetic mechanisms between DCD-associated genes and genes linked with movement disorders. Our findings suggest that some patients might have a genetic etiology of DCD, which could be considered part of a pathogenetic movement disorder spectrum.

Examining the neurodevelopmental and motor phenotypes of Bohring-Opitz syndrome (ASXL1) and Bainbridge-Ropers syndrome (ASXL3).

Chromatin Modifying Disorders (CMD) have emerged as one of the most rapidly expanding genetic disorders associated with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Motor impairments are also prevalent in CMD and may play a role in the neurodevelopmental phenotype. Evidence indicates that neurodevelopmental outcomes in CMD may be treatable postnatally; thus deep phenotyping of these conditions can improve clinical screening while improving the development of treatment targets for pharmacology and for clinical trials. Here, we present developmental phenotyping data on individuals with Bohring-Optiz Syndrome (BOS - ASXL1) and Bainbridge-Ropers Syndrome (BRS - ASXL3) related disorders, two CMDs highly penetrant for motor and developmental delays. To phenotype the motor and neurodevelopmental profile of individuals with ASXL1 and ASXL3 related disorders (BOS and BRS). To provide a preliminary report on the association of motor impairments and ASD. Neurodevelopmental and motor phenotyping was conducted on eight individuals with pathogenic ASXL1 variants and seven individuals with pathogenic ASXL3 variants, including medical and developmental background intake, movement and development questionnaires, neurological examination, and quantitative gait analysis. Average age of first developmental concerns was 4 months for individuals with BOS and 9 months in BRS. 100% of individuals who underwent the development questionnaire met a diagnosis of developmental coordination disorder. 71% of children with BOS and 0% of children with BRS noted movement difficulty greatly affected classroom learning. Participants with BRS and presumed diagnoses of ASD were reported to have more severe motor impairments in recreational activities compared to those without ASD. This was not the case for the individuals with BOS. Motor impairments are prevalent and pervasive across the ASXL disorders with and without ASD, and these impairments negatively impact engagement in school-based activities. Unique neurodevelopmental and motor findings in our data include a mixed presentation of hypo and hypertonia in individuals with BOS across a lifespan. Individuals with BRS exhibited hypotonia and greater variability in motor skills. This deep phenotyping can aid in appropriate clinical diagnosis, referral to interventions, and serve as meaningful treatment targets in clinical trials.

H - 55 Socially Responsible Neuropsychology (SRN) in Action: the Role of Neuropsychology in Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Care, a Case Study of a Bilingual Latino Patient.

Latinx children with ASD are diagnosed 1-3years later than their White counterparts and typically present with more severe symptoms at the time of assessment. Systemic barriers include language barriers, limited literacy about ASD, mental health stigma, mistrust in healthcare. Latinx children are at greater risk of misdiagnosis, delayed access to special education, limiting early intervention. Within neuropsychology, there are limited bicultural/bilingual neuropsychologists trained in autism evaluations, few Spanish ASD diagnostic tools, no bilingual norms, and little understanding regarding neuropsychologists' role in providing autism evaluations to culturally/linguistically diverse children. This social injustice results in unmet needs and inequities in ASD care for Latinx children. We aim to illustrate how the SRN model increases equitable ASD care amongst Latinx children. SRN model was utilized in 11-year-old bilingual Latinx male by applying culturally responsive interview to identify systemic barriers and language use, and a model of language proficiency testing. Testing was primarily in English after verbal fluency measures established language dominance. Clinical decision making identified the need for autism evaluation using Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS-2). His cognitive profile showed word reading and motor inefficiencies. ADOS-2 identified deficits in communication, reciprocal social interaction, restricted and repetitive behavior. Neuropsychological assessment confirmed ASD and Developmental Coordination Disorder diagnosis. His unremarkable neurocognitive profile suggested compensatory strategies may have masked symptoms. This case highlights need for bicultural/bilingual neuropsychologists with experience providing comprehensive ASD evaluations to practice from equitable framework, using the SRN model to enhance early detection, treatment recommendations, and advocacy for access to culturally/linguistically appropriate resources.

Infographic: Developmental Coordination Disorder (Part II) – Recommendations for Motor Interventions

Children with Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) have motor coordination below expectations for their chronologic age and are commonly described as clumsy 1. The goal of this infographic is to provide information on recommendations for motor intervention of DCD based on information available on a recent study 2. Overall, the literature affirms that children with a diagnosis of DCD should receive intervention. Both physical and occupational therapy are recommended and can help children perform everyday tasks. According to the international clinical practice guidelines 3, when planning a program of intervention, it is recommended that both the strengths and weaknesses of the individual in their environmental context should be taken into account in order to improve motor function, activity, and participation. Smits-Engelsman and colleagues 2 classified motor interventions with basis on the International Classification of Functioning (ICF) framework: 1) body function and structure (BF) oriented, where the activity engaged in is designed to improve targeted body functions considered to underlie the reported functional motor problem; 2) activity oriented where the activity engaged in is designed to improve performance in that activity; and 3) participation oriented, where the activity engaged in is designed to improve participation in that activity in an everyday life situation. Overall, positive benefits were evident for activity-oriented approaches, body function-oriented when combined with activities, active video games, and small group programs 2. However, the authors explained the need for more rigorous RCTs with follow-up to demonstrate sustained change rather than just short-term gains in performance. A specific approach that shows overall effectiveness is the Cognitive Orientation to daily Occupational Performance (CO-OP), which is an individualized, task-specific (activity-oriented), cognitive-based, problem-solving approach for individuals experiencing difficulties performing the skills they want or need to do. A recent randomized waitlist-control trial showed that CO-OP was effective in achieving and maintaining functional motor goals after 3 months for children with DCD 4. Other specific recommendations involve the incorporation of physical fitness (cardiorespiratory fitness and functional strength) protocols, Neuromotor Task Training (NTT), and the use of motor imagery training 3. The severity of motor impairment affects not only the presentation of DCD but also participation, which has important implications for treatment 3. Different interventions may be required at key stages of development or periods of transition to target participation 5. Overall, it is recommended that individuals with DCD are given ample opportunity to practice movement skills to learn them and to participate in daily activities (e.g., at home, school, in community and leisure settings, and in sports).

Possible disrupted biological movement processing in Developmental Coordination Disorder

AimThere is emerging evidence that the Mirror Neuron System (MNS) might contribute to the motor learning difficulties characteristic of Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD). This study aimed to identify whether MNS activity differed between children with and without DCD during action observation, action execution and during a non-action baseline. MethodsElectroencephalography (EEG) was used to measure mu rhythm (a proxy for MNS activation) in 8-12-year-old children either with (n = 20) or without (n = 19) a diagnosis of DCD. The mu rhythm was recorded at rest and during five experimental conditions: (1) observation of gross motor and (2) fine motor actions; (3) execution of gross motor and (4) fine motor actions; and (5) non-biological movement. To address whether potential co-occurring traits of other neurodevelopmental conditions were associated with differences in mu rhythm, parents reported their child's attention and social communication skills. Mixed and repeated measure ANOVAs were conducted to examine differences in mu desynchronization and mu power respectively. ResultsThe non-DCD group showed greater mu rhythm desynchronization than children with DCD (i.e., more MNS activity), with both groups demonstrating increasing desynchronization from observation of fine actions to execution of gross actions. However, we also found that the children with DCD had less mu power during the non-biological movement condition than the non-DCD children, although mu power did not differ between groups during the resting condition. Correlations between mu desynchronization and children's attention and motor skills showed that poorer attention and motor abilities were associated with reduced MNS activity. ConclusionCompared to children without DCD, the MNS in children with DCD did not distinguish between biological and non-biological movement. It is possible that the reduced specificity of the MNS in children with DCD is an underlying factor in the motor impairments observed in the disorder. The differential MNS activity could reflect broader atypical activity in perceptual networks that feed into the MNS in DCD.

The Phenotypic variability of 16p11.2 distal BP2–BP3 deletion in a transgenerational family and in neurodevelopmentally ascertained samples

BackgroundWe present genomic and phenotypic findings of a transgenerational family consisting of three male offspring, each with a maternally inherited distal 220 kb deletion at locus 16p11.2 (BP2–BP3). Genomic analysis...

Strengths and weaknesses of the MABC-2 as a diagnostic tool for developmental coordination disorder: An online survey of occupational therapists and physiotherapists.

The Movement Assessment Battery for Children-2 (MABC-2) is the most widely used instrument for aiding the diagnosis of developmental coordination disorder (DCD). Despite being shown to have strong validity and reliability, it has received criticism for aspects of its scoring system, the lack of formal training, and its susceptibility to overlook higher functioning DCD children. To aid the development of future diagnostic tools and/or iterations of the MABC-2, the present study attempted to draw upon the experience of key stakeholders and determine the strengths and weaknesses of the MABC-2. Using a short online questionnaire, occupational therapists (n = 14) and physiotherapists (n = 3) with experience using the MABC-2 for DCD diagnosis completed a series of Likert scale and free-text questions. Braun and Clarke's six-phase process to thematic analyses was used to identify main themes obtained across quantitative and qualitative data. Results indicate that whilst the MABC-2 is easy to administer and interpret, the scores can misrepresent true motor difficulties due to (a) daily variations in mental and physical state, (b) the reliance on non-functional tasks, (c) negative interference from parents, (d) changes in motor competency due to practice, and (e) a lack of formal examiner training to ensure the test is effectively lead. Further work is needed to more reliably determine how perceptions of the MABC-2 might vary across levels of expertise, profession, and cultural differences.

Motor Impairments in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

This article comprehensively reviews motor impairments in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) to: (1) determine the prevalence of motor problems in children with ASD; (2) understand the nature of motor difficulties in ASD and whether they are consistent with developmental coordination disorder (DCD); and (3) determine if the term DCD was used as a co-occurring diagnosis in children with ASD after publication of the DSM-5 in 2013. The following databases were systematically searched: MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, and PsycINFO from 2010 to December 2021. Articles were included if they: (1) were peer-reviewed and published in a scientific journal; (2) included children with ASD who were between 5 and 12years; (3) used motor or function measures to assess motor abilities in children with ASD. Studies that included children with intellectual disabilities were excluded. Two independent reviewers reviewed titles, abstracts, and full-text articles for inclusion. Twenty-seven studies met the inclusion criteria and wereassessed for quality by two independent reviewers using the Appraisal tool for Cross-Sectional Studies. The majority of articles (92.5%) indicated that 50-88% of children with ASD had significant motor impairments on standardized motor assessments and/or functional questionnaires. The nature of motor and function problems in ASD were consistent with DCD; however, only three out of 20 papers (15%) that were published from 2014 described the motor problems as DCD. One study reported that 15.1% of children with ASD with motor impairments had a co-occurring diagnosis of DCD, suggesting that DCD is under-recognized in this clinical population.

Assessing children to identify developmental coordination disorder: A survey of occupational therapists in Australia.

Developmental coordination disorder (DCD), a prevalent neurodevelopmental disorder with motor and psychosocial consequences, can significantly impact children's quality of life. In Australia, most children with diagnosed/suspected DCD have received occupational therapy services, more so than any other health service. As such, occupational therapists are key in identification and treatment and require a sound knowledge of diagnostic criteria and the best evidence for practice. This study explored current occupational therapy services for children with DCD. Areas for development are identified to improve the identification of, and subsequent intervention for, children with DCD. In this cross-sectional study, an online survey was completed in September and October 2020 by 175 occupational therapists working in Australia. Although all therapists worked with children who met the criteria for DCD diagnosis, 70% worked with children with no specific diagnosis and 50% worked with children with outdated diagnostic labels. Australian occupational therapists used similar models/frameworks (commonly a multisensory/sensory processing approach) to guide practice with children with DCD, regardless of therapist characteristics, practice setting (clinic/community, rural/urban), how therapy is funded, or the state where the therapists completed their training/currently practiced. Although assessment practices did not differ significantly, therapists with greater years of paediatric practice and those who studied and/or practiced in Western Australia were more likely to assess to identify DCD. Half of the therapists did not assess to identify DCD; however, 60% of assessing therapists reported best practice methods in assessment for DCD, indicating emerging best practices in the Australian context. The findings from this study suggest that small adaptations to current occupational therapy practice may enhance the early identification of children with DCD in Australia. The existing gaps in evidence to practice must be addressed to improve current Australian practice and increase access to appropriate services and ultimately improve the quality of life for children with DCD.

An Investigation of Developmental Coordination Disorder Characteristics in Children With Childhood Apraxia of Speech.

Children with childhood apraxia of speech (CAS) evidence a high rate of co-occurring fine and gross motor deficits. This clinical focus article reports a preliminary investigation of characteristics of developmental coordination disorder (DCD), a neurodevelopmental disorder categorized by poor motor proficiency and functional limitations, in this population. Children with CAS underwent a comprehensive motor evaluation using the Movement Assessment Battery for Children-Second Edition, the Developmental Coordination Disorder Questionnaire, and a developmental history questionnaire to determine if they met criteria for a DCD diagnosis as specified in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5). Six out of seven participants met DCD criteria based on the DSM-5 criteria. Four of these children had a co-occurring diagnosis of developmental language disorder, and all met criteria for DCD. Consistent with previous research, the majority of participants demonstrated motor deficits and 85% met criteria for DCD. Despite this high rate of motor deficits, only 57% had previously undergone a physical/occupational therapy evaluation and intervention and only one had a previous diagnosis of DCD. These findings suggest that formal movement assessments are essential for children with a CAS diagnosis. https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.20540193.

Psychomotor intervention to improve handwriting skills in children with ADHD: A single-case experimental design with direct inter-subject and systematic replications

ABSTRACT Dysgraphia is highly prevalent in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and adversely affects academic and developmental trajectories. To date, no study has rigorously examined the effects of a training program on handwriting quality in this specific population. Our objective was thus to develop an innovative program – we entitled PRO-PEN – and to evaluate its effects. We planned a multiple-baseline design across participants from grade 3–5, with direct inter-subject and systematic replications. Children of Group 1 (n = 4) were diagnosed with ADHD. Systematic replication was conducted in a second group of participants (Group 2, n = 4) with a diagnosis of developmental coordination disorder in addition to ADHD. The primary assessment focused on quality of handwriting. Generalization measures evaluated diverse neuropsychological and behavioural domains. In Group 1, effect sizes regarding handwriting quality were large (Taus > .60). Improvement was also observed for children of Group 2 (Taus > .50). Importantly, the positive effects persisted three months after the end of the training. Generalization effects extended beyond handwriting sphere. Therefore, PRO-PEN can be considered a promising training program for improving handwriting quality in ADHD, with a possible impact on wide cerebral regulation loops underpinning both handwriting and other neuropsychological and behavioural domains.

Spatial Instability during Precision Grip-Lift in Children with Poor Manual Dexterity.

Although children with developmental coordination disorder (DCD) show impaired precision grip control due to a sensory-motor integration deficit, their spatial instability (such as changes in force direction and object roll during a precision grip task) is unclear. Herein, we investigated the spatial instability in the precision grip force control of children with poor manual dexterity. We divided 66 school-aged children who performed a precision gripping and lifting of heavy- or lightweight objects into those with low manual dexterity (n = 11) and those with high manual dexterity (n = 55) as revealed by the Movement Assessment Battery for Children (2nd edition). The group and weight effects were then determined. The results revealed that the total trajectory lengths of the center of pressure (COP) were longer in the lightweight object data of the children in the low-manual-dexterity group and were related to the children’s grip force. The low-manual-dexterity group also showed a shifted COP position from the center of the object in the medial–lateral direction and in the object roll regardless of the object’s weight; these were closely related in both weights’ tests. These results demonstrated that children with poor manual dexterity show spatial instability and different adaptations to the weight of objects during a precision grip task. Further studies are needed to determine whether these findings would be replicated in children with a diagnosis of DCD.

Developmental Coordination Disorder before the Age of Three: A Longitudinal Retrospective Study in a Belgian Center for Developmental Disabilities.

This study aimed to explore the association between developmental coordination disorder (DCD) diagnosed after the age of three and both a standardized motor test—the Alberta Infant Motor Scale (AIMS)—and non-standardized observation of movement quality carried out before the age of three. Children at risk or with developmental concerns were studied retrospectively. Children were excluded in case of a diagnosis, excluding DCD, e.g., cerebral palsy, or IQ < 70. Of the 503 included children, 246 were diagnosed with (at-risk) DCD. Multivariate binary logistic regression revealed a significant association between DCD diagnosis after the age of three and male gender and with different aspects of poor movement quality in different age groups before the age three. Univariate analyses revealed an association between DCD diagnosis and the number of poor movement-quality descriptions at 0–6 months, 6–12 months, and 18 months–3 years but not with the AIMS scores. The MABC-2 scores after the age of three were significantly correlated with the number of poor movement-quality descriptions in age groups 0–6 months and 18 months–3 years and with the AIMS scores in age groups 6–12 months and 12–18 months. The results suggest that DCD can be associated with poor movement quality before the age of three.

Psychometric Properties of the Little Developmental Coordination Disorder Questionnaire-Taiwan.

Early identification of young children at risk of developmental coordination disorder (DCD) can support early intervention and prevent secondary sequelae. To examine the psychometric properties of a translated and cross-culturally adapted version of the Little Developmental Coordination Disorder Questionnaire-Taiwan (LDCDQ-TW). Prospective study. Kindergartens and preschools in north, central, and south Taiwan. In Phase 1 the participants were 1,124 parents of typically developing children ages 36-71 mo. Children with confirmed developmental diagnoses were excluded. Participants in Phase 3 were 162 children who had been recruited in Phase 2. Outcomes and Measures: The LDCDQ-TW, a 15-item parent questionnaire for identifying children at risk for DCD, and the Movement Assessment Battery for Children (2nd ed.; MABC-2), were administered. The findings revealed excellent test-retest reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient [ICC] = .97) and poor interrater reliability (ICC = .47). On the basis of MABC-2 scores, the non-DCD group (≥15th percentile) scored significantly higher than the DCD and suspect-DCD groups on the LDCDQ-TW, but the latter two groups did not differ from one another. Using the 15th percentile as a cutoff for both the MABC-2 and the LDCDQ-TW, sensitivity was .96 and specificity was .68. Although standardized performance-based assessments are required to confirm a diagnosis of DCD (typically after age 5 yr), the LDCDQ-TW demonstrated sound reliability and validity and can support the early identification of young children at risk of DCD in Taiwan. What This Article Adds: The LDCDQ-TW can facilitate early intervention for DCD and prevent secondary sequelae, improving outcomes for children with DCD.

Knowledge of the Development Coordination Disorder of caregivers and Teachers in India

For the early diagnosis of developmental coordination disorder, there is a need to understand the salient features of the disorder among the children. There are few researchers tat evaluate the awareness of developmental coordination disorder among caregivers, teachers, medical professionals as well as allied health professional in Indian context. Online survey was completed by 100 participants, 20 caregivers, 30 school teachers, 30 allied health professionals and 20 medical professionals were completed the survey. Results of the study suggest that developmental coordination disorder is the least known disorder among majority of the caregivers and allied health professionals. However half of the sample was familiar with the term developmental coordination disorder but every participant were familiar with the term dyspraxia. Among all the participants, it has been documented that allied health professionals were more familiar with the characteristic features of developmental coordination disorder children. They were familiar with the motor coordination difficulty. Every participant demonstrates poor recognition of psychological effects in developmental coordination disorder. Low percentage of medical professionals reported that they were exposed to diagnose the children with developmental coordination disorder. Teachers play a vital role in evaluating the warning signs of the disorder and they believe that 80% of children in primary schools were lazy and have motor skill impairment. The study concludes that there is a need for appropriate service delivery and timely evaluation to prevent the development of co-morbidities associated with developmental coordination disorder.

Experiences of adult siblings of those with developmental coordination disorder (DCD): a qualitative study

This qualitative study explored the childhood experiences of growing up with a sibling with Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) to offer an ‘outsider’s’ view of this condition. Ten individuals who had grown up with a sibling with DCD were interviewed about their experiences. Data were analysed using Thematic Analysis. Analysis described three main themes: i)‘witnessing the challenges for their sibling with DCD’ ii) ‘experiencing the impact on the family’; iii) ‘a vacuum of knowledge’. Not all experiences were negative and transcending these themes was the notion ‘resolution and finding benefit’ highlighting access to support, being more empathic and resilient, becoming a role model for others and finding success. Participants play witness to their sibling’s experiences which can often be negative sometimes impacted by a vacuum of knowledge but they also describe how a diagnosis of DCD comes with some benefits which are discussed in the context of ‘posttraumatic growth’.

The diagnostic trajectory of developmental coordination disorder in the Netherlands: Experiences of mothers

BackgroundReceiving a diagnosis can have a major impact on the child and its family. Parental satisfaction concerning the diagnostic trajectory is important with regard to acceptance and coping with their child's problems. Our aim was to describe the diagnostic trajectory of developmental coordination disorder (DCD) in the Netherlands and identify factors that are related to parents' satisfaction.MethodMothers of 60 children with a DCD diagnosis completed an online survey concerning their experiences during and after the diagnostic trajectory of obtaining this diagnosis.ResultsForty percent of the mothers rated the diagnostic trajectory towards a DCD diagnosis as stressful and 47% rated the knowledgeability of the first professional they consulted (mostly a general practitioner, paediatric physical therapist, or youth health care physician) as having no or just superficial knowledge about DCD. Around 60% of the mothers described a lack of knowledge and support at their child's school after receiving the diagnosis. Notwithstanding this, the majority of the participating mothers was (very) satisfied with the diagnostic trajectory. Higher appreciation of both the manner of the diagnosing professional and the post‐diagnostic support provided were predictive of higher satisfaction.ConclusionsOur results underline the importance of improving the knowledgeability in primary schools and primary health care professionals with regard to DCD.