Development of Children With DCD Before the Age of Six

The Development of Children With Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) Before the Age of Six: a Follow-up Study

The aim of this study is to map the early development of children with DCD and compare it to typically developing (TD) children.

At first we will investigate to what extent motor delay, reduced force, higher BMI, behavioral, ADL and participation problems occur in toddlerhood in DCD children and how this relates to TD children. We will also look into the evolution of these parameters in time (stability of development).

Secondly we will explore if the diagnosis of DCD can be predicted using a standardized test before the age of five.

A longitudinal study design enables us to assess children at three different ages (3y, 4y and 5y).

Assessment scores (AIMS or/and BSID) before the age of three will be retrieved retrospectively in the clinical group.

Inclusion Criteria DCD group:

1. The multidisciplinary team of the Center of Developmental Disabilities reports that the child has DCD or is at-risk for developing DCD and this at the age of 2 and/or 3 years.
2. At least one parent speaks Dutch to the child

Inclusion Criteria controlgroup:

1. The child is three years of age at the moment of the first testing
2. Little-DCD-Q score ≥ 55 at 3y
3. M-ABC-2 percentilescore ≥25 at 3y
4. No medical diagnoses possibly influencing the motor development (DCD, ADHD, ASS, CP,…)
5. No history of developmental motor stimulation (therapy) and/or support
6. Gestational age ≥37w
7. Birthweight ≥2500g
8. At least one parent speaks Dutch to the child