"Picture this from there": spatial perspective-taking in developmental visuospatial disorder and developmental...

Area of Science:

• Developmental Psychology
• Neuroscience
• Pediatrics

Background:

• Developmental Visuospatial Disorder (DVSD) and Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) involve visuospatial processing deficits.
• Spatial perspective taking is crucial for daily activities like navigation.
• Limited research exists on spatial perspective taking in DVSD and DCD.

Purpose of the Study:

• Compare spatial perspective taking in children with DVSD, DCD, and typically developing peers (ND).
• Investigate the role of fine-motor and visuospatial skills as predictors of spatial perspective taking.
• Adopt a transdiagnostic approach to understand shared and distinct challenges.

Main Methods:

• 85 participants (aged 8-16) including DVSD (n=26), DCD (n=26), and ND (n=33) groups.
• Administered tasks assessing spatial perspective taking, fine-motor skills, visual imagery, mental rotation, and visuospatial working memory.

Main Results:

• Both DVSD and DCD groups exhibited impaired spatial perspective taking.
• The DVSD group demonstrated the most pronounced deficits.
• Predictors of spatial perspective taking varied between groups, suggesting different strategy use.

Conclusions:

• Children with DVSD and DCD face significant challenges in spatial perspective taking.
• Findings highlight the need for tailored interventions considering group-specific predictors.
• Results have implications for research and clinical practice in developmental disorders.