Emerging adulthood in developmental co-ordination disorder: parent and young adult perspectives

Recent research widely acknowledges that developmental co-ordination disorder (DCD) is a pervasive and enduring disorder, which persists into adolescence and adulthood (Cousins & Smyth, 2003; Kirby, Sugden, Beveridge, & Edwards, 2008). However, few studies have given detailed consideration to the range and level of functioning difficulties in emerging adults with DCD, and no studies to date have gained a parental perspective. Current functioning of 19 young adults with DCD was examined using the Adult Dyspraxia/DCD Checklist (ADC, Kirby, Edwards, Sugden, & Rosenblum, 2010) and parents' views of their child's current functioning was also obtained. Results suggest that whilst some motor skills such as handwriting continue to impact in emerging adulthood, not all skills are as problematic, such as self-care skills. Additionally, executive functioning, and social skills seem to be a key areas of concern for both young adults and their parents. Results provide guidance for areas of intervention that need to be considered, especially focusing on executive functioning skills. Also they highlight the need for gathering information from more than one source to gain a complete picture of functioning.