Multidisciplinary Assessment of Children with Developmental Coordination Disorder: Using the ICF Framework to Inform Assessment

Abstract

The aim of this study was to describe relationships in young children with motor coordination problems between measures of motor, functional, self-efficacy, and communication administered by a multidisciplinary team and the fit of these measures within the framework of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) (). Sixty children, 40 males and 20 females, with mean age 72.5 months (SD = 11.4 months) referred to a university physiotherapy clinic met the inclusion criteria for developmental coordination disorder (DCD). Each measure provided a different perspective of performance when considered within the framework of the ICF. The findings suggest caution when using the Movement Assessment Battery for Children (M-ABC) for the purpose of diagnosis with young referred children, since 25 of the 60 children scored > 15th percentile, despite demonstrating motor deficits at home and school. Further research is needed to address assessment at the participation level. Viewing children from the multiple perspective of each discipline highlights the range of challenges faced by children with DCD.

KEYWORDS:

• Children
• motor coordination
• function
• communication
• self-efficacy
• International Classification of Function
• Disability and Health (ICF)
• measurement