CO-OP for Children with DCD: Goals Addressed and Strategies Used

Developmental coordination disorder (DCD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that impacts motor coordination and interferes with participation in everyday activities. Cognitive Orientation to Occupational Performance (CO-OP) is a client-centered treatment approach that focuses on skill acquisition through cognitive strategy use.

To determine which types of goals a sample of children with DCD choose most frequently and which domain-specific strategies were most commonly used to address these goals.

Retrospective chart review of 50 children (8-12 years) with DCD who completed CO-OP intervention was conducted to identify goal types and strategy use.

Leisure was the most common goal type. Supplementing task knowledge, body position, and task modification were the most frequently used strategies.

Results confirm the types of goals that are commonly selected by children with DCD and highlight commonly used strategies used to meet these goals. Findings will help guide occupational therapists in selecting appropriate strategies to meet children's goals.