Prevalence of suspected developmental coordination disorder and associated factors in Spanish classrooms

Prevalence and risk factors of attention deficit hyperactive disorder among children aged 6-17 years in arbaminch City, Gamo zone, Southern Ethiopia: a community-based cross-sectional study

INTRODUCTION

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is among the most common neurodevelopmental diseases affecting children and adolescents all over the world. There is limited evidence on the magnitude of ADHD among children in the Southern Nation and Nationality region in Ethiopia. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the magnitude and associated factors of ADHD among children aged 6-17 years in Arba Minch town, Southern Ethiopia.

METHODS

A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in Arba Minch city from April 5 to May 5, 2023. A study included 520 participants. A multistage sampling followed by systematic random sampling was used to select the study participants. The Vanderbilt ADHD diagnostic DSM-IV criteria using a pre-tested, structured questionnaire with a face-to-face interview were used to assess the outcome. For data entry and analysis, Epi Info version 7 and STATA version 14 software were used, respectively. Variables with a p < 0.25 from the bivariate analysis were considered for the multivariable analysis. The multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to identify statistically significant variables with a p-value of < 0.05. The adjusted odds ratio presented the strength of the association with a 95% confidence interval.

RESULT

The prevalence of ADHD was found to be 9.77% (95% CI; 7.47-12.66) in Arbaminch city. Family history of mental illness (AOR = 2.27; 95% CI: 1.15-4.45), children with a history of previous mental health problems (AOR = 7.11; 95% CI: 1.66-30.41), children whose mothers used alcohol during pregnancy (AOR = 3.36; 95% CI: 1.41-7.99), and children whose mothers smoked tobacco during their lifetime (AOR = 4.17; 95% CI: 1.05-16.89) were significantly associated with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder.

CONCLUSION

According to this study, one in ten children in Arbaminch City, Ethiopia, is diagnosed with ADHD. Key predictors of ADHD include a prior history of mental illness in the child, maternal smoking, alcohol consumption during pregnancy, and a family history of mental disorders. Consequently, children with previous mental health issues and those from families with a history of mental illness should receive special attention. Additionally, expectant mothers must be informed about the harmful effects of alcohol and tobacco consumption on fetal development.

Prevalence and associated factors of developmental coordination disorder in primary school children

Developmental coordination disorder (DCD) is one of the most frequently observed movement disorders in childhood, yet data on its prevalence are still unclear. This two-stage epidemiological study aims to determine the prevalence of DCD in children between 6 and 10 years of age according to the diagnostic criteria of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-5 (DSM-5). In the first stage, the Developmental Coordination Disorder Questionnaire (DCDQ'07) were given to primary school students. In the second stage, clinicians conducted psychiatric interviews with children who had an indication of DCD or were suspected of having DCD according to the DCDQ'07 and their parents. The interviews utilized the DSM-5 diagnostic criteria for DCD and applied the Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia for School-Age Children-Present and Lifetime Version-Turkish Adaptation (K-SADS-PL) and Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC-R) to identify co-occurring disorders. In the first stage, 2,306 children were evaluated, and 205 were invited for a clinical interview. Of the 198 children interviewed, 49 met the diagnostic criteria for DCD. The prevalence of DCD in Türkiye was found to be 2.1%. High parental education level, a previous psychiatric admission of the child, mother's postpartum depressive symptoms, co-occurring disorders, and co-occurring attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) were significantly more common among children with DCD. Potentially associated factors were evaluated by logistic regression analysis. The mother's education level, the presence of postpartum depressive symptoms, and co-occurring disorders in the child were found to be associated factors.

Investigation of the relationship between gross motor maturation from 1 to 18 months and preschool gross motor performance in at-risk infants

BACKGROUND

At-risk infants are predisposed to major and minor neurodevelopmental disorders due to various biological and environmental factors.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to investigate the relationship between gross motor maturation from 1 to 18 months and gross motor performance in the preschool period, as well as the risk of developmental coordination disorder (DCD) in at-risk infants, referred to the Family Counselling Center of the Turkish Spastic Children's Foundation (FCCTSCF) between 2014 and 2016.

METHODS

Fifty-seven children who had their gross motor maturation assessed between 1 and 18 months at the FCCTSCF were re-evaluated in the preschool period. The Alberta Infant Motor Scale (AIMS) was used to evaluate gross motor maturation between 1 and 18 months. In contrast, the Gross Motor Function Measure-88 and the Developmental Coordination Disorder Questionnaire were used to assess gross motor performance in the preschool period.

RESULTS

Of the at-risk infants included in the study, 45.6% were evaluated as having typical development, 21% were identified as having cerebral palsy (CP), and 33.3% were determined to be at risk for DCD. Children with CP and those at risk for DCD were found to have lower percentile ranks on the past AIMS test compared to the healthy group (p = 0.001). A significant positive correlation was found between the Alberta Infant Motor Scale and the Gross Motor Function Measure-88 (p = 0.014).

CONCLUSION

In the clinical follow-up of at-risk infants, those who scored low on AIMS should be monitored for future risk of DCD and minor disorders, even if major neurological issues such as cerebral palsy are not detected.

Prevalence of suspected Developmental Coordination Disorder and its association with preterm and low birth weight in 5-10-year old children

Background

Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) is a chronic neurodevelopmental disorder that results in difficulty in motor coordination observed in school-going children that interferes with classroom performance. Suspected DCD (S-DCD) children may show poor motor, as well as academic performance at school, and hence the present study aimed to find out the prevalence of S-DCD in children of age 5-10 years in central India and to find its association with preterm and/or low birth weight (LBW).

Method

A total of 716 normal school-going children of age 5-10 years (both genders) were included in the study from four schools of the city by stratified sampling method. Children with any diagnosed neurological, orthopedic, rheumatologic, metabolic, cardiopulmonary, or psychological disorders were excluded. Data was collected using the parent-administered Developmental Coordination Disorder Questionnaire-2007 (DCDQ'07) and a parent/caregiver proforma. Children were sorted into three age subgroups (5-7.11 years, 8-9.11 years and 9-9.11 years).

Result

Prevalence of S-DCD in 5-7.11 years (21.5%), 8-9.11years (23.9%) and is highest in 10-10.11 years (30.6%). Preterm children showed a higher prevalence of S-DCD (preterm: 29.54%, term: 23.10%). Children with LBW also showed a higher prevalence of S-DCD (30.15%) and among normal birth weight (21.43%). In children with both preterm and LBW history, the prevalence of suspected DCD was found to be 51.72%.

Conclusion

Prevalence of suspected DCD was found to be 23.9% in the 5-10 years age group. It was also observed that S-DCD is strongly associated with preterm, as well as low birth weight in children of age 5-10 years.

Motor problems in autism: Co-occurrence or feature?

Motor features of autism have long been acknowledged by clinicians, researchers, and community stakeholders. Current DSM-5 and ICD-11 guidelines allow clinicians to assign a co-occurring diagnosis of developmental [motor] coordination disorder (DCD) for autistic individuals with significant motor problems. DCD is characterized by poor motor proficiency with an onset of symptoms in early development. Studies have shown considerable overlap in the behavioral motor features observed in autism and DCD. However, others indicate that motor problems in autism and DCD may stem from different underlying sensorimotor mechanisms. Regardless of whether autism has a unique motor phenotype or an overlap with DCD, changes need to be made in the clinical pipeline to address motor problems in autism at the stages of recognition, assessment, diagnosis, and intervention. Consensus is needed to address unmet needs in research on the etiology of motor problems in autism and their overlap with DCD, to optimize clinical practice guidelines. The development of screening and assessment tools for motor problems that are valid and reliable for use with autistic individuals is essential, and an evidence-based clinical pipeline for motor problems in autism is urgently needed. WHAT THIS PAPER ADDS: Motor problems in autism are highly prevalent, yet underdiagnosed and poorly managed. An evidence-based clinical pipeline for motor problems in autism is urgently needed.

Visual and kinesthetic motor imagery in adults with different degrees of self-reported motor coordination difficulties

Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) involves difficulties in performing coordinated movements with fine and/or gross motor skills deficits. Several studies showed that DCD is characterized by motor imagery deficits as well. Here we investigated in neurotypical adults (N = 334) the relationships between the ease of imaging two main motor imagery components, that is the visual and the kinesthetic one, self-reported motor coordination difficulties and handwriting speed. Self-reported motor difficulties were measured by the Adult Developmental Co-ordination Disorders/Dyspraxia Checklist (ADC) and scores were used to distinguish three groups: participants at risk of DCD (with both relevant childhood and current motor coordination difficulties); with motor coordination difficulties (relevant current but not childhood difficulties); without motor coordination difficulties (neither current nor childhood difficulties). The main results showed more kinesthetic and visual imagery difficulties in participants at risk of DCD than in those both with and without motor coordination difficulties. Interestingly, the relationships between the two imagery components and motor difficulties were different in the three groups, depending on: 1) the developmental phase (childhood or adulthood) to which motor coordination difficulties referred, and 2) the point of view (self or other), from which images were judged. Instead, no relationship was found between imagery abilities and handwriting speed. Thus, a nuanced pattern of the ease of imaging motor imagery emerged in adults with different degrees of self-reported motor coordination difficulties. These findings could be relevant for the assessment of people candidate to undergo a motor imagery training.

Neurodevelopmental disorders among Spanish school-age children: prevalence and sociodemographic correlates

BACKGROUND

Prevalence estimates of neurodevelopmental disorders (ND) are essential for treatment planning. However, epidemiological research has yielded highly variable rates across countries, including Spain. This study examined the prevalence and sociodemographic correlates of ND in a school sample of Spanish children and adolescents.

METHODS

The Child Behaviour Checklist/Teacher's Report Form/Youth Self-Report and the Conners' Rating Scales were administered for screening purposes. Additionally, teachers provided information on reading and writing difficulties. Subjects who screened positive were interviewed for diagnostic confirmation according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders criteria. The final population comprised 6834 students aged 5-17. Multivariate analyses were performed to determine the influence of gender, age, educational stage, school type, socioeconomic status (SES), and ethnicity on the prevalence estimates.

RESULTS

A total of 1249 (18.3%) subjects met criteria for at least one ND, although only 423 had already received a diagnosis. Specifically, the following prevalence rates were found: intellectual disabilities (ID), 0.63%; communication disorders, 1.05%; autism spectrum disorder (ASD), 0.70%; attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), 9.92%; specific learning disorder (SLD), 10.0%; and motor disorders, 0.76%. Students of foreign origin and from low SES evidenced higher odds of having ID. Boys were more likely to display ASD or a motor disorder. Age, SES, and ethnicity were significant predictors for SLD, while communication disorders and ADHD were also associated with gender.

CONCLUSIONS

The prevalence of ND among Spanish students is consistent with international studies. However, a substantial proportion had never been previously diagnosed, which emphasise the need for early detection and intervention programmes.

Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD): Relevance for Clinical Psychologists in Europe

Background

Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) is a common neurodevelopmental disorder primarily characterized by fine and gross motor coordination difficulties. Yet, many aspects remain unclear regarding the clinical presentation of secondary symptoms and their implications for Clinical Psychology. Therefore, the purpose of this review is to provide an update about the current understanding of DCD for clinical psychologists and psychotherapists across Europe, particularly based on new insights stemming from the last decade of research.

Method

We provide a narrative review of articles published in the last decade on the topic of DCD, and relevant aspects to clinical psychologist, including lesser known aspects of DCD (e.g., executive functions, psychological consequences, and adult DCD).

Results

DCD is a highly prevalent, disruptive, and complex disorder, which should be investigated further in many areas (e.g., co-occurrence to ADHD). Existing evidence points toward a key role of executive functioning difficulties at all ages. Most patients report secondary psychological problems, but little headway has been made in examining the effectiveness of psychotherapy for DCD.

Conclusions

Insights and remaining research gaps are discussed. It is critical for psychologists and clinical researchers to raise awareness for DCD, take note of the growing literature, and foster continued interdisciplinary approaches to research and treatment of DCD.

Cognitive Profiles of Children with Low Motor Performance: A Contribution to the Validation of the WPPSI-IV

(1) Background: Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) is a common developmental disorder of preschool age. Children often show cognitive deficits in addition to motor problems. Various studies point in particular to problems in visual perception, working memory and processing speed. In this context, it is investigated whether the Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale-IV (WPPSI-IV) is a suitable instrument for mapping these deficits in a valid and economical way. (2) Methods: The WPPSI-IV profiles of children with DCD (n = 12), below-average motor performance (n = 22) and a control group (n = 32) were compared. (3) Results: Children with DCD achieved significantly poorer test performance in the primary indices Verbal Comprehension, Visual Spatial, Processing Speed and Full Scale compared to a control group. Children with below-average motor skills, on the other hand, do not differ from the children in the control group. (4) Conclusions: The WPPSI-IV is a suitable instrument for diagnosing cognitive deficits in the context of DCD. The Fluid Reasoning and Verbal Comprehension indices should be used as a supplement to assess cognitive performance levels.

Relationship between the Developmental Coordination Disorder Questionnaire 2007 and the Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency Second Edition in Korean Children

This study investigated the relationship between the Developmental Coordination Disorder Questionnaire 2007 (DCDQ’07) and the Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency Second Edition (BOT-2) in Korea. This study also adjusted the cutoff score of the DCDQ’07 based on the BOT-2 for Korean children. A total of 256 children were recruited from communities in Korea. They were divided into two age groups: 8 to 9 years old and 10 to 12 years old. Children performed the BOT-2, and their parents completed the DCDQ’07. The correlation between the DCDQ’07 and the BOT-2 was analyzed. The adjusted DCDQ’07 cutoff score for Korean children was calculated using the BOT-2 as the criterion through a receiver operating characteristic curve. A significant correlation between the DCDQ’07 and the BOT-2 was found, indicating that Korean parents’ perception of children’s motor skills was related to their children’s actual motor proficiency. The adjusted cutoff score of the DCDQ’07 had a sensitivity of 72.7–85.7% and a specificity of 62.5–64.0%. This study demonstrated that children’s motor skills reported by Korean parents on the DCDQ’07 were valid based on a community sample. The adjusted cutoff score of the DCDQ’07 could be used to identify children suspected of having a developmental coordination disorder.

Motor performance and daily participation in children with and without probable developmental coordination disorder

AIM

To test the mediating role of motor performance in the relationship between individual and environmental constraints, delayed learning of activities of daily living (ADL), and daily participation in typically developing children and children with probable developmental coordination disorder (DCD).

METHOD

Parents of 370 randomly selected children aged 5 to 10 years (194 females; mean age [SD] 7y 5mo [1y 10mo]) were included in the study (321 typically developing, 49 probable DCD). Motor performance, ADL learning, and participation were assessed using the DCDDaily-Questionnaire. Individual variables included child's age and sex, and environmental variables included mother and family educational level, presence of siblings, and area of residence. Direct, indirect, and mediating effects were tested using a partial least squares-based structural equation modelling approach.

RESULTS

The model explained 44.5% of the variance of daily participation. Motor performance significantly mediated the effect of individual and environmental constraints, and ADL learning on daily participation.

INTERPRETATION

Results suggest that the effect of individual and environmental constraints and delayed learning of ADL on daily participation is mediated by motor performance in typically developing children and children with probable DCD. These findings provide further evidence that interventions to promote participation in children with probable DCD should adopt ecological, task-oriented approaches. Further studies should evaluate model generalizability with clinical samples.

Cross-Cultural Adaptation and Preliminary Reliability of the Adolescents and Adults Coordination Questionnaire into European Spanish

Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) is a developmental disorder affecting motor coordination skills, that frequently persists into adolescence and adulthood. Despite this, very few instruments exist to identify DCD in this population, and none of them are available for Spanish young adults. The purpose of this study was to cross-culturally adapt and preliminarily validate the Adolescents and Adults Coordination Questionnaire (AAC-Q) into European Spanish. The AAC-Q was translated and adapted following international recommendations, including: (a) two independent forward translations; (b) synthesis and reconciliation; (c) expert committee review; and (d) a comprehensibility test. In addition, the internal consistency and homogeneity were examined using a sample of 100 Spanish higher education students. Cultural equivalence and idiomatic differences were addressed to produce the AAC-Q-ES. Findings show that the AAC-Q-ES is a cross-culturally adapted instrument with good preliminary reliability indicators in Spanish young adults (Cronbach’s α = 0.74; corrected item-total correlations = 0.217–0.504).

Risk factors in early life for developmental coordination disorder: a scoping review

AIM

To perform a scoping literature review of associations between risk factors in early life and developmental coordination disorder (DCD).

METHOD

PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, PsycINFO, and Web of Science (January 1994-March 2019) were searched to identify studies on early risk factors and motor impairment or DCD. The effect of single and multiple risk factors was assessed. Level of evidence was evaluated following the Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine guidelines. Meta-analysis on the effect of preterm birth was performed.

RESULTS

Thirty-six studies fulfilled inclusion criteria; 35 had evidence level 3, one had level 4. Highest evidence was available that preterm birth and male sex in term-born children were associated with DCD. The odds ratio of preterm birth was 2.02 (95% confidence interval: 1.43-2.85). Low to moderate evidence was available that parental subfertility, maternal smoking during pregnancy, postnatal corticosteroid treatment in infants born preterm, extra corporeal membrane oxygenation, retinopathy of prematurity, abnormalities on magnetic resonance imaging scans at term age, and accumulating perinatal or neonatal risk factors were associated with motor impairment.

INTERPRETATION

Limited information on early risk factors of DCD is available. Only preterm birth and male sex were consistently associated with an increased risk of DCD.

WHAT THIS PAPER ADDS

Preterm birth is a risk factor for developmental coordination disorder (DCD). In term-born children, male sex was consistently associated with DCD. Risk factors for DCD are similar to risk factors for cerebral palsy.

The Effect of Physical Activity Interventions on Executive Function Among People with Neurodevelopmental Disorders: A Meta-Analysis

The current meta-analysis comprehensively examined the effects of physical activity interventions on executive function among people with neurodevelopmental disorders. The meta-analysis included 34 studies with 1058 participants aged 5-33 years. Results indicated an overall significant medium effect of physical activity interventions on improving executive function in people with neurodevelopmental disorders under the random-effect model (Hedges' g = 0.56, p < .001). Significant moderators of the effects of physical activity intervention on executive function included age, intervention length and session time, executive function subdomains, and intervention dose (total minutes in the intervention). This meta-analysis provides support for the effectiveness of physical activity interventions on executive function among people with neurodevelopmental disorders. Future studies and limitations are discussed.

Developmental Coordination Disorder, Motor Performance, and Daily Participation in Children with Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder

Children with Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) often present with Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) or motor coordination problems that further impact their daily functioning. However, little is known about the prevalence of co-occurring DCD and ADHD in the Spanish context, and research about the impact of ADHD on performance and participation in motor-based activities of daily living (ADL) is scarce. The aims of this study were to explore the prevalence of co-occurring DCD in children with ADHD, and to examine differences in performance and participation in motor-based ADL between children with ADHD and typically developing children. We conducted a case-control study including 20 children with ADHD and 40 typically developing controls randomly matched for exact age and sex (males = 80%; mean age = 8, 9 (2, 3) years). Presence of probable DCD (p-DCD) was confirmed with the Developmental Coordination Disorder Questionnaire (DCDQ). The DCDDaily-Q was administered to assess performance and participation in ADL. A 75% prevalence of p-DCD was found in the ADHD group (OR = 27; p < 0.001). Children with ADHD showed poorer motor performance and less participation in ADL (p < 0.01; d = 0.9-1.4). These findings contribute to understand the functional consequences of ADHD in motor-based ADL and its relationship with DCD.

Participation in Everyday Activities of Children with and without Neurodevelopmental Disorders: A Cross-Sectional Study in Spain

Children with neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) often report significant difficulties performing activities of daily living (ADLs), which may restrict their daily participation. The aim of this study was to investigate the differences in ADLs participation between children with NDDs and typically developing (TD) children, and to explore the associations between different daily participation contexts. A cross-sectional study was conducted that included twenty children with a medical diagnosis of an NDD and 26 sex- and age-matched TD controls. The daily participation across home, community, school, and instrumental living activities was measured using the Child and Adolescent Scale of Participation (CASP). The results show that children with NDDs engaged in lower participation in all CASP contexts (Δ = 1.7-5.5, p < 0.001) and had a significantly higher prevalence of moderate or severe restricted participation than their TD peers (OR = 23.4, 95% CI = 3.6-154.2, p < 0.001). Additionally, a strong association was found between the different contexts of participation (r = 0.642-0.856). Overall, the children with NDDs experienced significant participation restrictions on their daily activities. This study adds to the growing evidence showing that intervention strategies in this population should adopt a participation-oriented approach.

The contribution of motor functions to academic achievement in primary school: State of the art and future directions

This review is intended to point out the role played by motor skills proficiency in the academic achievement of typically and atypically developing pupils who are attending primary school. First, the interplay between motor and cognitive development will be presented. Next, the cognitive phenotype, not yet deeply investigated, of a neurodevelopmental condition associated with the atypical development of motor functions (known as Developmental Coordination Disorder) will be illustrated. Thus, the contribution of motor functions to academic learning and the impact of motor difficulties for pupils attending primary school will be discussed. In addition, the importance of developing observational tools to be used in educational settings and the need for effective interventions designed to empower motor functioning and academic achievement of atypically developing pupils with motor deficits will be highlighted. Finally, future directions within the educational agencies for the early detection of the atypically developing motor trajectories and their treatment will be traced.

Assessment of Motor Activities of Daily Living: Spanish Cross-Cultural Adaptation, Reliability and Construct Validity of the DCDDaily-Q

The DCDDaily-Q is an instrument that aims to comprehensively assess motor performance in a broad range of activities of daily living (ADL) and to identify risk of Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) in children. The aim of this study was to cross-culturally adapt the DCDDaily-Q into European Spanish (DCDDaily-Q-ES) and to test its psychometric properties in Spanish 5 to 10 year old children. The DCDDaily-Q was translated and cross-culturally adapted into Spanish following international guidelines. Two-hundred and seventy-six parents of typically developing Spanish children completed the final version of the DCDDaily-Q-ES (M = 7.5 years, SD = 1.7; girls = 50%). Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA), internal consistency, and corrected item-total correlations were conducted to test construct validity, internal consistency, and homogeneity of the DCDDaily-Q-ES. The DCDDaily-Q-ES achieved good semantic, conceptual, and cultural equivalence. CFA supported construct validity of the DCDDaily-Q-ES. Reliability values were also good (Cronbach's alpha = 0.703-0.843; corrected item-total correlations = 0.262-0.567). This is the first study to cross-culturally adapt and examine the DCDDaily-Q outside the Netherlands. The findings suggest that the DCDDaily-Q-ES is a reliable and valid measure to assess learning, participation, and performance in a broad range of ADL.

Cross-Cultural Adaptation and Preliminary Validation of the European Spanish Version of the Developmental Coordination Disorder Questionnaire (DCDQ–ES)

Importance: The Developmental Coordination Disorder Questionnaire (DCDQ) is the most widely used measure of difficulties with activities of daily living and academic performance in children with developmental coordination disorder, but this tool has not been adapted for use in Spain.

Objective: To translate and cross-culturally adapt the DCDQ into European Spanish (DCDQ–ES) for use in assessing motor coordination in Spanish children.

Design: Cross-cultural adaptation and preliminary validation study.

Setting: Community and mainstream schools in Spain.

Participants: A committee of five experts oversaw the cross-cultural adaptation process. A community-based convenience sample of 31 parents of children ages 5–14 yr was used to test the comprehensibility of the DCDQ–ES. Preliminary reliability was tested with 35 randomly selected parents of children ages 6–12 yr.

Outcomes and Measures: The DCDQ was translated into European Spanish and cross-culturally adapted following international guidelines. Comprehensibility was assessed using cognitive debriefing interviews. The final version of the DCDQ–ES was used for the reliability analysis.

Results: Cultural relevance and equivalence and idiomatic differences between the DCDQ and DCDQ–ES were evaluated. Comprehensibility analysis led to minor modifications that facilitated comprehension and interpretation. Internal consistency and homogeneity of the DCDQ–ES were good (Cronbach’s α = .857, corrected item–total correlations = .268–.692).

Conclusions and Relevance: The DCDQ–ES is conceptually and semantically equivalent to DCDQ and was successfully cross-culturally adapted for the European Spanish context. Preliminary data suggest that the DCDQ–ES is a reliable measure of motor coordination in Spanish children.

What This Article Adds: This study provides evidence of the cultural equivalence of the DCDQ–ES for use with Spanish children. Occupational therapists in Spain can use the DCDQ–ES to evaluate children’s motor coordination difficulties in everyday activities.

Sensory processing patterns in developmental coordination disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and typical development

BACKGROUND

Sensory processing difficulties (SPD) are present in children with Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) and Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). However, little is known about sensory processing variability in these disorders.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to explore SPD among children with DCD, ADHD and co-occurring symptoms in comparison to children with typical development (TD) and to determine how potential social confounders may influence these associations.

METHODS

The study involved 452 children aged 6-12 years. The Short Sensory Profile-2 was used to assess sensory processing patterns. Multiple linear regressions were utilized to investigate the relationship between DCD, ADHD and co-occurring symptoms and sensory processing patterns, adjusting for social covariates.

RESULTS

Children with DCD and ADHD symptoms showed greater variability of atypical sensory processing patterns compared with TD children. Low registration and sensory sensibility issues were more prevalent in the DCD group. ADHD children showed higher rates of low registration, sensory sensibility and sensory seeking, and all children in the co-occurring symptoms group presented sensory sensibility.

CONCLUSION

This study reports significant variability in sensory processing among children with DCD, ADHD and co-occurring symptoms using a population-based sample. These differences can contribute to understand how neurological and social factors correlates across diagnoses.

Psychometric Validation and Reference Norms for the European Spanish Developmental Coordination Disorder Questionnaire: DCDQ-ES

The Developmental Coordination Disorder Questionnaire (DCDQ) is a widely used and well-validated tool that contributes to the diagnosis of Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD). The aim of this study was to further analyze the psychometric properties of the European Spanish cross-culturally adapted version of the Developmental Coordination Disorder Questionnaire (DCDQ-ES) in a sample of Spanish children aged 6-11 years and to establish reference norms with respect to age groups. Parents of 540 typically developing children completed the DCDQ-ES. A second sample of 30 children with probable DCD (pDCD) was used to test its discriminant validity. Confirmatory factor analysis supported the original three-factor structure and the internal consistency was excellent (Cronbach's α = 0.907). Significant differences between age groups were found. The pDCD group scored significantly lower than the reference sample in the three subscales and DCDQ-ES total score (p < 0.001; AUC = 0.872). The DCDQ-ES is a reliable and valid tool for screening motor coordination difficulties in Spanish children and for identifying children with probable DCD. The findings of this research suggest that context-specific cut-off scores should be systematically utilized when using cross-cultural adaptations of the DCDQ. Age-specific cut-off scores for Spanish children are provided.

Interrelation of Individual, Country and Activity Constraints in Motor Activities of Daily Living among Typically Developing Children: A Cross-sectional Comparison of Spanish and Dutch Populations

Motor performance is influenced by individual, environmental, and task constraints. Children perform differently according to individual (i.e., sex), environmental (i.e., country), and task (i.e., type of activity) factors. However, little is known about the effect of the interaction between sex and country factors across different activities of daily living (ADL) learning, participation, and performance. The main aim of this study was to examine the relationship between sex, country, and type of activity in motor-based ADL learning, participation, and performance in five-to-eight-year-old, typically developing children. Additionally, we aimed to compare the prevalence of probable Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) across sex and country. The DCDDaily-Q was used to assess ADL learning, participation, and performance in 300 age and sex-matched children from Spain and The Netherlands. The prevalence of probable DCD was determined based on the total ADL performance score. Results showed that differences in ADL learning, participation and performance differed across sex and country (p < 0.05). Prevalence of probable DCD was statistically similar in both countries. These findings show that daily participation and performance in typically developing children may be influenced by individual, country, and task constraints, and that country and sex may have different influences on particular tasks.

Identifying Children with Developmental Coordination Disorder via Parental Questionnaires. Spanish Reference Norms for the DCDDaily-Q-ES and Correlation with the DCDQ-ES

Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) is one of the most prevalent neurodevelopmental disorders in school-aged children, with major consequences in psychosocial and physical health. Adequate identification of this disorder is necessary to prompt effective interventions. The aims of this study were to develop the Spanish adjusted reference norms for the DCDDaily-Q and to test the correlation and agreement between the Spanish versions of the DCDDaily-Q (DCDDaily-Q-ES) and the Developmental Coordination Disorder Questionnaire (DCDQ-ES), two reliable instruments to assess motor performance and DCD. Clinically relevant percentiles were calculated for the DCDDaily-Q-ES using a representative sample of Spanish children aged 5 to 10 years (n = 356; M = 7.3 years, SD = 1.8; boys = 50%). Pearson's correlation coefficient and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) were used to determine correlation and agreement between questionnaires, respectively. A moderate and significant correlation and agreement between DCDDaily-Q-ES and DCDQ-ES was found (r = 0.406; ICC = 0.381; p < 0.001). Differences in daily participation and performance were found between age groups, but not between boys and girls. Spanish age-adjusted percentiles and cutoff scores for DCDDaily-Q-ES are provided. This study offers further validation and relevant information regarding assessment of DCD and has practical implications for clinical practice and research.

A comparison of using the DSM-5 and MABC-2 for estimating the developmental coordination disorder prevalence in Korean children

BACKGROUND

Previous literature has shown inconsistency in the prevalence of developmental coordination disorder (DCD). The Movement Assessment Battery for Children, Second Edition (MABC-2) is often used for DCD prevalence studies, although the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) recommends four criteria.

AIMS

The purpose of this study was to compare the prevalence of DCD in Korean children using the DSM-5 and MABC-2.

METHODS

A total of 548 Korean elementary school students (mean age: 8.5 years ± 4.5 months) completed this study procedure. All four criteria defined by the DSM-5 were used to classify children with DCD. MABC-2 test scores were used to classify students into four subgroups: high-risk DCD, mild-risk DCD, probable DCD and typical development.

RESULTS

Cohen's kappa revealed that the estimates of DCD prevalence were not significantly different between MABC-2 and DSM-5. When DSM-5 criteria were applied, 60 children out of 548 were classified as probable DCD (10.94%) compared to 70 children with probable DCD (12.77%) when MABC-2 was used.

CONCLUSIONS

DCD prevalence based on DSM-5 is not significantly different from MABC-2, though it tends to estimate less than MABC-2. Future studies should consider our findings when selecting an assessment tool.