Movement Strategies During Balance Tasks in Children With and Without Developmental Coordination Disorder

Case-Control Research of the Movement Strategies Used During Balance Tasks in Children With and Without Developmental Coordination Disorder

The main objective of the study is to gain insights in how children learn a balance task and whether there is a difference between children with and without Developmental Coordination Disorder. Furthermore, the investigators are interested in the brain activity of these children while learning this new balance task.

Inclusion Criteria:

For children with DCD

• Children with the clinical diagnosis of Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) based on criteria of the DSM-5 (APA, 2013), diagnosed by a pediatrician.
• Children who have no formal diagnosis are evaluated by the research team using the diagnostic criteria as outlined in the inclusion criteria, these children will be included as "suspected of having DCD"
• Balance problems need to be present and objectified with the Balance Evaluation Systems Test for Children, second edition (Kids-BESTest-2). (total score below 80%)

For children without DCD

• Total score at or below the 25th percentile on the Movement Assessment Battery for children, second edition
• Normal postural control, objectified by the Kids-BESTest-2 (score at or above 80%)
• Match with children with DCD based on their sex, age and potential comorbidities.

Exclusion Criteria:

Presence of:

• Intellectual problems
• Visual problems
• Vestibular problems
• Neurological conditions
• Not able to follow instructions due to behavioral problems
• Refuse to participate