Developmental Coordination Disorder: A synthesis of evidence to underpin an allied health professions' framework

Abstract

Children with Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) lack the motor coordination necessary to perform tasks considered appropriate for their age, given normal intellectual ability and the absence of other neurological disorders. DCD is a common childhood disorder that can develop into a long‐term condition that has a significant impact on society. A key method of managing DCD is through the assessment and interventions of allied health professionals (AHPs). To date, no integrated AHP framework for the assessment and treatment of DCD exists. The present article illustrates the methods used to synthesise multiple data sources (policy, scientific evidence, service user views and AHP perspectives) by a multidisciplinary group of AHP researchers and practitioners. Through this process a series of principles of good practice were identified, and then developed into a framework for AHPs working with children with DCD. In this article the methodology used to enable synthesis from different evidence sources will be presented, as will the resultant framework. The findings will then be discussed within the current literature emphasising the importance of health/education partnership in the support and management of these children.

Keywords:

• allied health professions
• child
• Developmental Coordination Disorder
• qualitative research
• service delivery
• systematic review

Acknowledgements

This work was funded by NHS QIS. The full report can be accessed online (www.nhshealthquality.org). The authors would like to extend thanks, first and foremost, to the families and children who gave their time to this research. They would also like to extend thanks to the wider national community of AHPs who supported this research and to Professor Anne O'Hare who provided expert guidance to the research team. Finally, thanks go to Susan Prior who supported the completion of the manuscript.

Notes

1. Funder: NHS QIS. The data were therefore designed to be representative of every health board in Scotland (QIS, 2007a).