Participation and quality of life among Australian children with developmental coordination disorder

Children with Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) experience difficulty in the acquisition and performance of movement skills, threatening participation and quality of life. Environmental influences on participation and quality of life were investigated in children with DCD and their neurotypical peers.

Quality of life and participation data were collected from 30 parents of children with DCD and 19 parents of neurotypical children via the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory and the Participation and Environment Measure for Children and Youth. The association between participation, environmental factors, and quality of life were investigated alongside group differences in home, school, and community settings.

Children with DCD were less involved than their neurotypical peers in school and community activities. Across all settings, parents of children with DCD reported more barriers to participation, less helpful environments, a greater desire for change in participation, and lower overall environmental support. Children with DCD experienced poorer quality of life, which was predicted by overall community and school support.

Results have several implications for therapy. Individual (e.g., cognitive and physical demands) and environmental factors (e.g., additional school and community resources) should be considered in intervention development to promote participation frequency and involvement.