Wisconsin Card Sorting Test performance in children with developmental coordination disorder.

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Developmental Psychology
• Pediatrics

Background:

• Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) is a neurodevelopmental condition affecting motor skills.
• Executive functions are crucial for daily activities and academic success.
• Previous research suggests potential executive function deficits in DCD, but specific impairments and their relation to school functions require further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare executive functions, using the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST), between children with DCD and typically developing controls.
• To examine the relationship between executive functions and school functions in children with DCD.

Main Methods:

• Seventy-one children with DCD and 70 age-matched controls were recruited from public schools.
• Executive functions were assessed using the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST).
• School functions were evaluated using the School Function Assessment--Chinese Version (SFA-C).

Main Results:

• Significant differences were found between groups on five WCST measures, indicating impaired executive functions in children with DCD.
• Children with DCD showed significant differences on eight SFA-C subscales compared to controls.
• A significant correlation was identified between WCST and SFA-C measures in children with DCD.

Conclusions:

• Children with DCD exhibit specific deficits in executive functions, particularly mental shifting and cognitive flexibility.
• Executive function impairments in DCD are associated with difficulties in school functions.
• Findings support targeted interventions for executive function and school-related challenges in DCD.