How detailed pofiles of children with Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) influence participation in physical activity. School based evidence.

McQuillan, V.A., Swanwick, R.A., Chambers, M.E. & Sugden, D.A. Title: How detailed profiles of children with Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) influence participation in physical activity (PA). School based evidence. Aim: Children with DCD show motor coordination difficulties often co-occurring with characteristics of Specific Language Impairment (SLI), Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). However, the impact over time on motor progression and participation in (PA) is relatively unexplored. 1) To examine profiles of children with DCD exploring motor progress over time 2) To examine any relationship between profiles and participation in PA Method: Thirty-four schoolchildren aged 7-14 years were screened using CCC2, Snap IV and DCDQ (07) for developmental disorders of language, communication, attention and DCD. Children were tested individually with KBIT2 and MABC2 and DCD (DSM5) criteria to identify children with and without DCD. Three groups were identified: Red ≤5th percentile on MABC2 (severe motor impairment), Amber 6-16th percentile (moderate motor impairment) and Green ≥25th percentile (typically developing). Measures of IQ and socio economic context and repeated measures of MABC2 were taken over 2 years. Group comparison with ANOVA at baseline and repeated measures ANOVA over time were performed examining stability or change. Selected children were interviewed for experiences and participation in PA. Results: Children with DCD had distinctive profiles, a higher prevalence of co-occurring characteristics differing from typically developing children (TDC) on many measures. Motor performance within the two DCD groups progressed differently from each other and TDC group depending upon severity of motor impairment Discussion: Findings suggest that children in both DCD groups progressed differently and participated in PA less than TDC. Yet cross case analysis revealed that some enjoyed participating in PA identifying themes useful to support participation. The study adds to the literature by systematically identifying profiles of DCD, the influence of co-occurring characteristics, and motor progression over time