Suitability of the ‘Little DCDQ' for the identification of DCD in a selected group of 3–5-year-old South African children

Abstract

Background: In order to identify Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) as soon as possible, we need validated screening instruments that can be used for the early identification of motor coordination delays. The aim of this study was to establish the suitability of the Little Developmental Coordination Disorder Questionnaire (Little DCDQ) for the identification of DCD in a selected group of 3–5-year-old South African children (N = 53). Method: Both reliability and validity of the Little DCDQ were assessed. Test items of the Little DCDQ, completed by the parents, were compared against the standardised Movement Assessment Battery for Children-2, in a group of 53 children aged 3–5 years. Results: Correlations of r = 0.3 were established between two of the test items and good internal consistency (Chronbach's Alpha, r =  > 0.8) was established. The Little DCDQ showed poor sensitivity (57.14%), but reasonable specificity (81.25%). Conclusion: These results indicate that the Little DCDQ has potential as a screening instrument to detect possible DCD, but a few adjustments need to be considered.

Keywords:

• Little DCDQ
• MABC-2
• DCD
• preschool children
• screening
• parents

Notes on contributors

Amné Venter obtained thee B.Sc MBW & Physiology degree in 2010 at the North-West University (NWU) and specialised in Kinderkinetics in the following Honours year. She is a full-time Kinderkineticist at a primary school in Rustenburg and is currently working on her M.Sc studies and plans to continue with a doctoral study.

Prof Anita E. Pienaar is a professor within the School of Biokinetics, Sport en Recreation, and programme leader within the Kinderkinetics programme in this School at the North-West University (NWU), Potchefstroom Campus. She obtained her Ph.D. degree in 1994 at the former PU vir CHO. Her training responsibilities at the NWU include modules on undergraduate and post graduate levels, as well as guidance to several masters and doctoral students in the field of Kinderkinetics and Sport Science. She plays a leading role in several research projects with regard to the growth, perceptual-motor and physical development of children and the influence of different factors within the context of the South African population on children's school- and sport performance, as well as the improvement thereof. She was bestowed an honorary award in 2012 by the South African Academy for Science and Art for her contribution to the expansion of subject-specific knowledge in this field.

Dr Dané Coetze is a senior lecturer in the School of Biokinetics, Recreation and Sport Science at the North-West University (NWU), Potchefstroom Campus. She obtained the degrees BA (2003), Honours (2004) and M.A. in Human Movement Science (2009), all cum laude, from the NWU, Potchefstroom Campus. She also obtained her Ph.D. in Human Movement Science at the NWU in 2012. She joined the academic staff of NWU in 2009. Her training responsibilities at the NWU include modules on undergraduate and post graduate levels as well as guidance to masters and doctoral students in the field of Kinderkinetics. Her research interests include: motor development, vision therapy, ADHD, DAMP, DCD, learning-related problems, sports vision and early intervention.