Evaluation of a screening instrument for developmental coordination disorder

• Published in: Journal of adolescent health Vol. 34; no. 4; pp. 308 - 313
• Main Authors: Hay, John A, Hawes, Robert, Faught, Brent E
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Inc 01-04-2004
• Subjects: Canada; Clumsy children; CSAPPA scale; Developmental coordination disorder; Screening instrument; Canada; Screening instrument; Clumsy children; Developmental coordination disorder; CSAPPA scale
• ISSN: 1054-139X; 1879-1972
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jadohealth.2003.07.004

To validate the Children's Self-Perceptions of Adequacy in, and Predilection for Physical Activity (CSAPPA) scale as a proxy for the BOTMP test in diagnosing DCD.
A sample of 209 children (M = 121; F = 87) consented to the BOTMP test, CSAPPA scale, Participation Questionnaire, Léger 20-meter Shuttle Run, and body fat using bioelectric impedance. Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve analysis and Kappa statistic were used to validate the CSAPPA scale as a predictor for significant clumsiness on the BOTMP test.
Prevalence of DCD was .09 ± .03 of both males and females, all previously undiagnosed. A positive cutoff of < 47 and < 53 for DCD on the CSAPPA scale was identified in male and females, respectively. Both gender cut-offs demonstrated significant agreement (
p < .01) with a positive BOTMP test. Males' results indicated a sensitivity and specificity values of .90 (CI = .18) and .89 (CI = .22). Likewise, the female subject cutoff demonstrated high sensitivity [.88 (CI = .05)] and specificity [75 (CI = .09)]. Gender specific analysis of variance (ANOVA) indicated that students identified as clumsy were not significantly different in age or height from their peers, but demonstrated significantly (
p < .01) lower self-efficacy, aerobic fitness, and had significantly (
p < .01) higher relative body fat. These results held true for both genders.
These findings are consistent with the characteristics of children with DCD. These results suggest that the CSAPPA scale is a promising instrument for use in screening children for developmental coordination disorder.