How common are motor problems in children with a developmental disorder: rule or exception?

Area of Science:

• Pediatric neurology
• Developmental psychology
• Rehabilitation medicine

Background:

• Limited epidemiological studies on developmental co-ordination disorder (DCD) co-morbidity exist since the 2006 Leeds Consensus Statement.
• Existing studies are often small clinical samples, leading to varied co-morbidity rates.
• The higher incidence of DCD in boys raises questions about gender differences in co-occurring developmental disorders.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the co-morbidity of motor problems in children with pervasive developmental disorders, hyperkinetic disorders, and/or speech, language, or learning disabilities.
• To investigate gender differences in the co-occurrence of motor problems with other developmental disorders.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of profiles from 3608 children referred to rehabilitation centers.
• Study included children with behavioral, developmental, and sensorineural disorders (mean age: 9 years, 1 month).

Main Results:

• Motor problems were present in approximately 20% of the total sample.
• Co-morbidity rates of motor problems ranged from nearly 25% to over 33% in specific disorders.
• The male/female ratio was significantly higher in children with motor problems and multiple other disorders.

Conclusions:

• Co-morbidity of motor problems with other clinical disorders is common, indicating developmental issues are rarely isolated.
• Current studies may overestimate the prevalence of motor problems in children with developmental disorders.
• Gender may influence the presentation patterns of co-occurring developmental disorders, emphasizing the need for motor skill assessment in all children with developmental concerns.