About This Project

Ask the Scientists

What is the context of this research?

DCD is a chronic condition, one that occurs in 5 to 6 percent of children. Children who have it may have problems with gross motor skills, sensory processing, fine motor skills and/or posture. Although these problems are treatable — especially if they’re caught early — DCD can be hard to diagnose, because we don’t know enough about it. And, of course, there are a large variety of symptoms.

My hypothesis is that children with DCD demonstrate different physical limitations and should be divided into subgroups. DCD would then become an “umbrella” diagnosis. If we were able to better define different subgroups, children would be easier to diagnose and treat. We hope the outcome would be better, more targeted treatments for their type of DCD.

What is the significance of this project?

Children with DCD have difficulty performing daily activities and schoolwork, with the result that they can develop psychological problems, including high levels of stress. Although the condition is a problem — a treatable problem — it is often overlooked by parents, teachers and medical professionals.

Appropriate and timely diagnosis is key. If we can identify these children at an early age and provide appropriate intervention, their prognosis is very promising. That’s why I want to develop a standardized process to assess children with different types of DCD.

What are the goals of the project?

The goal is to work with children and families
to develop a classification system— using clinical and lab measures — that will identify subgroups in children with DCD. The subgroups will be based on how DCD affects the child — by impairing gross motor skills, fine motor skills, etc.

In our test sessions, we will involve children in activities that happen in their daily life, such as jumping, throwing and catching a ball, and drawing pictures. We’ll measure how children move, how they do tasks with their hands, how they answer some questions, and how they play.

We would like to publish the results in journals and present at conferences. We expect this study will be the first step to better diagnose children with DCD and will contribute to intervention management of these children.