How do young children with DCD participate and enjoy daily activities?

Area of Science:

• Child Development
• Occupational Therapy
• Pediatric Neurology

Background:

• Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) can impact children's participation in daily activities.
• Understanding the multidimensional aspects of participation is crucial for early intervention.
• Preschool years are a critical period for developing foundational skills and social engagement.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate and compare multidimensional participation in preschool children with and without DCD.
• To identify differences in independence, enjoyment, and parental satisfaction among groups.
• To explore the complexity of DCD using integrated diagnostic and health perception frameworks.

Main Methods:

• A comparative study involving 63 preschool children (mean age 4.96 years).
• Three groups were included: children with DCD, children with mild developmental issues, and typically developing children.
• Assessment included the Movement Assessment Battery for Children 2 (M-ABC2) and the Participation Scale Questionnaire (PSQ).

Main Results:

• Children with DCD showed significantly lower levels of independence in participation.
• Subjective measures, including child enjoyment and parental satisfaction, were significantly lower in the DCD group.
• Participation was compromised in children with DCD compared to their peers from a young age.

Conclusions:

• Preschool children with DCD face significant challenges in participation across multiple dimensions.
• Early identification and intervention are essential to enhance the participation of children with DCD.
• Integrating diagnostic criteria (DSM) with health perspectives (ICF) provides a comprehensive understanding of DCD's impact.