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Cognitive and motor function in developmental coordination disorder
Wilson, Peter Ruddock, Scott Rahimi-Golkhandan, Shahin Piek, Jan Sugden, David Green, Dido Steenbergen, Bert
Wilson, Peter
Ruddock, Scott
Rahimi-Golkhandan, Shahin
Piek, Jan
Sugden, David
Green, Dido
Steenbergen, Bert
Abstract
Aim
To analyse the development of motor skill and executive function in school-aged children with and without developmental coordination disorder (DCD).
Method
Using a longitudinal design, 186 children (86 males, 100 females) aged 6 to 11 years at Time 1 were tested over a 2-year period, 52 of whom were diagnosed with DCD at Time 1 (27 males, 25 females; mean age 8y 5mo, SD 1y 6mo) using DSM-5 criteria. The McCarron Assessment of Neuromuscular Development assessed motor status at Time 1 and at 2-year follow-up (Time 2). Executive function was assessed using a well-validated measure, the Groton Maze Learning Test.
Results
The DCD cohort at Time 1 had moderate incidence of executive function deficit (41%). Most importantly, at a group level, children with persisting DCD (across Times 1 and 2) also showed significantly lower levels of executive function than children with typical motor development at both time points. At an individual level, around 26% of children in this group had persisting executive function deficits relative to normal ranges of performance.
Interpretation
Children with persisting DCD are at significant risk of executive function issues. The combination of motor and cognitive issues as a potential risk factor in the longer-term development of children is discussed.
What this paper adds
Around half of children initially diagnosed with developmental coordination disorder (DCD) had the same diagnosis at 2-year follow-up.
41% of children with DCD have impaired executive function.
Children with persisting DCD show poorer executive function than those with typical motor development or remitting DCD.
Keywords
Date
2020
Type
Journal article
Journal
Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology
Book
Volume
62
Issue
11
Page Range
1317-1323
Article Number
ACU Department
School of Behavioural and Health Sciences
Faculty of Health Sciences
Faculty of Health Sciences
Relation URI
Source URL
Event URL
Open Access Status
License
All rights reserved
File Access
Controlled