Exploring the presence and impact of sensory differences in children with Developmental Coordination Disorder

Keating, Jennifer, Purcell, Catherine ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0301-2555, Gerson, Sarah A. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8710-1178, Vanderwert, Ross E. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2280-8401 and Jones, Catherine R. G ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0541-0431 2024. Exploring the presence and impact of sensory differences in children with Developmental Coordination Disorder. Research in Developmental Disabilities 148 , 104714. 10.1016/j.ridd.2024.104714 Item availability restricted.

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Abstract

Background Children with Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) can experience sensory differences. There has been limited exploration of these differences and their impact on children with DCD. Aims i) To explore the presence and impact of sensory differences in children with DCD compared to children without DCD; ii) To examine whether sensory differences are related to motor ability, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), or autistic traits. Method Parents of children (8–12 years) with (n = 23) and without (n = 33) DCD used standardised questionnaires to report on their children’s sensory differences, autistic traits, and ADHD traits. Motor abilities were assessed through the Movement Assessment Battery for Children-2. Data were explored both categorically (between-groups) and dimensionally. Results Children with DCD had significantly higher levels of sensory differences than children without DCD. Sensory differences also had a significantly greater impact on daily activities for children with DCD. Higher levels of ADHD and autistic traits, but not motor ability, were significant independent predictors of higher levels of sensory difference. Conclusion Children with DCD experience high levels of sensory differences, which impact on their daily lives. These sensory differences may be a marker for additional neurodivergence in children with DCD. Practitioners should consider the sensory needs of children with DCD.

Item Type:	Article
Date Type:	Publication
Status:	Published
Schools:	Psychology Cardiff University Centre for Human Development Science (CHDS)
Publisher:	Elsevier
ISSN:	0891-4222
Date of First Compliant Deposit:	29 February 2024
Date of Acceptance:	27 February 2024
Last Modified:	10 Nov 2024 12:30
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/166718

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