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. 2024 Nov 28:15:1418295.
doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1418295. eCollection 2024.

Developmental coordination disorder subtypes also vary in the pattern of behavioral and emotional problems

M M Schoemaker  1 , J M Lust  2 , B Steenbergen  2 , S Houwen  3 , J E M Diepstraten  4 , P H Wilson  5 , M Poelma  4
Affiliations

Developmental coordination disorder subtypes also vary in the pattern of behavioral and emotional problems

M M Schoemaker et al. Front Psychol. .

Abstract

Background: Behavioral and emotional problems in children with Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) are well documented. However, the heterogeneity of this group has been largely overlooked. Addressing this gap is important to develop individually-tailored interventions.

Aims: Our three aims were to assess: (i) behavioral and emotional problems in children with DCD; (ii) behavioral and emotional problems in subtypes of DCD, and (iii) the context-specificity of these problems (home/school).

Methods and procedure: Data were extracted from the medical records of a large sample of 93 children with DCD (79 boys, mean age 8.3) referred to a rehabilitation center. Behavioral and emotional problems were assessed with the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) and the Teacher Report Form (TRF).

Outcomes and results: Two-third of the children presented with behavioral and emotional problems according to both parents and teachers. The subtypes with generalized motor problems were most affected, while the subtype with gross-motor problems was least affected. Children presented with more problems at home than at school.

Conclusion and implications: Given the frequent occurrence of behavioral and emotional problems, clinicians should tailor their interventions to these problems in DCD. Knowledge of subtypes can inform these decisions.

Keywords: attention problems; developmental coordination disorder; externalizing problems; internalizing problems; social problems; subtypes.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest. The author(s) declared that they were an editorial board member of Frontiers, at the time of submission. This had no impact on the peer review process and the final decision.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Percentage of children in each DCD subtype with 0, 1, 2, or more than 2 behavioral and emotional problems (scores in (sub)-clinical range of CBCL syndrome scales). All percentages above 25% are significantly higher than expected according to the norms.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Percentage of children in each DCD subtype with 0, 1, 2, or with more than 2 behavioral and emotional problems (scores in (sub)-clinical range of TRF syndrome scales). All percentages above 25% are significantly higher than expected according to the norms.
Figure 3
Figure 3
For each DCD subtype, percentage of children in the subclinical/clinical range of the internalizing, externalizing, social, thought and attention scales of the CBCL.
Figure 4
Figure 4
For each DCD subtype, percentage of children in the subclinical/clinical range of the internalizing, externalizing, social, thought and attention scales of the TRF.
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