Executive function and attention in young adults with and without developmental coordination disorder--a comparative...

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Developmental Psychology
• Clinical Psychology

Background:

• Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) is a neurodevelopmental condition affecting motor skills.
• Executive functions (EF) are crucial cognitive processes supporting goal-directed behavior.
• Previous research suggests potential links between DCD and executive function deficits.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate executive function (EF) profiles in young adults with DCD.
• To compare EF abilities between individuals with DCD, borderline DCD, and controls.
• To examine the influence of attention difficulties on EF in young adults with DCD.

Main Methods:

• Longitudinal study design, following up a cohort three to four years later.
• Utilized the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function - Adult Version (BRIEF-A) for EF assessment.
• Employed the Wender Utah Rating Scale (WURS) to evaluate attention abilities.
• Included participants with DCD (n=25), borderline DCD (n=30), and controls (n=41).

Main Results:

• Young adults with DCD and borderline DCD exhibited significantly lower EF profiles than controls.
• No significant differences in EF were found between the DCD and borderline DCD groups.
• Executive function deficits in DCD groups remained consistent, even when controlling for attention problems.

Conclusions:

• Young adults with DCD experience persistent executive function impairments.
• Attention difficulties do not fully explain the executive function challenges observed in DCD.
• These findings underscore the importance of addressing EF deficits in interventions for young adults with DCD.