Investigating the impact of developmental coordination difficulties across home, school, and community settings: Findings from the Australian Impact for DCD survey

Jess E Reynolds; Gail A Alvares; Jacqueline Williams; Elspeth Froude; Catherine Elliott; Sarah McIntyre; Andrew J O Whitehouse; Kiah L Evans; Siobhan L Reid; John Cairney; Melissa K Licari

doi:10.1016/j.ridd.2024.104712

Investigating the impact of developmental coordination difficulties across home, school, and community settings: Findings from the Australian Impact for DCD survey

Res Dev Disabil. 2024 Apr:147:104712. doi: 10.1016/j.ridd.2024.104712. Epub 2024 Mar 11.

Authors

Affiliations

¹ Telethon Kids Institute, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia. Electronic address: jess.reynolds@telethonkids.org.au.
² Telethon Kids Institute, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia.
³ College of Sport, Health and Engineering, Institute for Health and Sport, Victoria University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
⁴ School of Allied Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Australian Catholic University, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
⁵ Telethon Kids Institute, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia; School of Allied Health, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia.
⁶ Telethon Kids Institute, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia; Cerebral Palsy Alliance, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.
⁷ Telethon Kids Institute, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia; School of Allied Health, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia; School of Allied Health, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia.
⁸ School of Human Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia.
⁹ School of Human Movement and Nutrition Sciences, Health and Well-Being Centre for Research Innovation, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.

PMID: 38471296
DOI: 10.1016/j.ridd.2024.104712

Abstract

Aim: To evaluate the participation difficulties experienced by children with developmental coordination disorder (DCD) in home, school, and community environments.

Methods: The Impact for DCD survey was completed by primary caregivers of 4-18-year-old children with DCD (or synonymous diagnosis) (n = 429).

Outcomes and results: The greatest participation difficulties experienced at home included dressing, eating with utensils, self-care tasks and drawing/writing reported by over 70% of families. At school, fine motor difficulties were also frequently reported, with additional difficulties keeping up or completing tasks, and not feeling supported at school. Socialisation challenges and bullying were also commonly reported (34.9%). As a result of participation difficulties at school, 5.4% were home schooled. Many children engaged in community activity, with 72.0% currently engaged in at least one organised sports-based activity.

Conclusions and implications: Increased recognition of the widespread impact of DCD in a child's life is crucial at an individual and societal level. Parents reported their children experiencing significant participation restrictions and difficulties. The findings of this large-scale study have revealed that most children with DCD are not receiving the support they need to thrive, especially at school. This largely reflects a lack of understanding and recognition of the condition and its associated challenges.

Keywords: Activities and participation; DCD; Developmental coordination disorder; Education; Functioning; Participation; Support.

MeSH terms

Adolescent
Australia
Child
Child, Preschool
Humans
Motor Skills Disorders* / diagnosis
Schools
Social Environment
Surveys and Questionnaires