A pilot study of psychopathology in Developmental Coordination Disorder

TLDR

This study investigates the prevalence of emotional and behavioural disorders in children with Developmental Coordination Disorder referred to a community paediatric occupational therapy service. The authors aim to clarify how motor difficulties relate to emotional and behavioural symptoms and to recommend that interventions for DCD address mental health and behaviour alongside motor development. Parents of 47 clinically identified DCD children completed the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire to assess pro‑social behaviour and psychopathology. Among the 47 children, 62 % of parents reported significant emotional or behavioural problems, 13 % reported borderline issues, 15 % reported no significant problems, and only 9 % were fully normal across all SDQ subdomains, indicating a high prevalence of psychopathology.

Abstract

Abstract Background This paper explores the prevalence of emotional and behavioural disorders in children referred to a Community Paediatric Occupational Therapy service for assessment and treatment of problems with development of motor skills. Methods Parents of 47 children from a clinical sample of children who had been identified with Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) returned the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) – a brief measure of the pro‐social behaviour and psychopathology that can be completed by parents, teachers or youths. Results Significant emotional and behavioural problems were reported by 29 parents (62%) with a further six (13%) reporting problems in the borderline range. Seven children (15%) were without significant problems in one or more area although only four of these (9%) were outside the borderline range for all of the sub‐domains of the SDQ. Discussion A significant proportion of children with DCD were reported by their parents to be at risk of psychopathology. Further research is needed to understand the relationship between motor difficulties and emotional and behavioural symptoms; however, it is recommended that interventions for children with DCD should support mental health and behavioural problems as well as motor development.