Psychometric properties of the Belgian Little-DCD-Q (L-DCD-Q-BE) in a population based sample

Background Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder usually diagnosed at school-age. However, recent evidence indicates that these children may already be identified before school-age. The Little-DCD-Questionnaire (L-DCD-Q) was developed to detect children at-risk of DCD between three and five years. Aims To provide Belgian norm references for the L-DCD-Q, examine validity and investigate parent – teacher agreement. Methods and procedures Questionnaires were completed by parents (n= 640) and teachers (n=249). Additionally, motor development of 82 children was assessed with the M-ABC-2, Beery-VMI-6 and teacher’s Motor Skill Checklist (MSC). Outcomes and results The L-DCD-Q demonstrates excellent internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.92), moderate convergent validity with M-ABC-2 (r= 0.42), and weak to moderate concurrent validity to Beery-VMI-6 (Visual-motor Integration: r= 0.31; Motor Coordination: r=0.30), and teacher’s rating on MSC (r=0.27). Discriminant validity with M-ABC-2 and Beery-VMI-6 subtest Visual-Motor Integration is poor, but moderate with Beery-VMI-6 subtest Motor Coordination and MSC. A fair agreement was established between parent’s and teacher’s rating (ᴋ=0.308). Conclusions and implications The L-DCD-Q is sensitive enough to detect low scores on the Beery-VMI-6 Motor Coordination, but not the M-ABC-2. Longitudinal research is necessary to examine predictive validity of the L-DCD-Q for a future diagnosis of DCD