Diagnostic services for developmental coordination disorder: Gaps and opportunities identified by parents

• Published in: Child : care, health & development Vol. 50; no. 1; pp. e13230 - n/a
• Main Authors: Klein, Erin S., Licari, Melissa, Barbic, Skye, Zwicker, Jill G.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01-01-2024
• Subjects: British Columbia; Child; Children; Content analysis; Continuous data; Coordination; Developmental coordination disorder; diagnosis; Diagnostic Services; Early intervention; Early Intervention, Educational; Etiology; Families & family life; family physician; Frustration; Health services; Health status; Humans; Integrated care; Medical diagnosis; Medical personnel; Mental health; Motor ability; motor skills disorder; Motor Skills Disorders; Neurodevelopmental disorders; parent perspective; Parents; Parents & parenting; pediatrician; primary care provider; Questionnaires; Recruitment; British Columbia; developmental coordination disorder; family physician; primary care provider; diagnosis; motor skills disorder; parent perspective; pediatrician
• ISSN: 0305-1862; 1365-2214
• DOI: 10.1111/cch.13230

Background
Affecting one in 20 children, Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) is a common neurodevelopmental disorder impacting a child's ability to learn motor skills. Despite its high prevalence, DCD is under‐recognized and under‐diagnosed, causing unnecessary frustration and stress for families who are seeking help for their child. This study aimed to understand how parents procure diagnostic services and their perspectives on needed supports and services to improve early identification and diagnosis of DCD.
Methods
Using a multi‐pronged recruitment strategy, we circulated the impACT for DCD online questionnaire to parents of children (<18 years) in British Columbia with suspected or diagnosed DCD. Data were analysed descriptively using medians/interquartile ranges for continuous data and frequencies/percentages for categorical data. Open‐ended questions were analysed using exploratory content analysis.
Results
A total of 237 respondent data were analysed. Parents identified poor awareness and understanding of health care professionals and educators regarding aetiology, symptomology, and impacts of DCD, affecting timely access to diagnostic services. Long waitlists were also a barrier that often led families with financial means to procure private diagnostic assessments.
Conclusion
A standard of care is needed for streamlined diagnostic services, enabling early identification and early intervention. A publicly funded, family‐centred, collaborative care approach is critical to assess, diagnose, and treat children with this disorder and to mitigate the secondary physical and mental health consequences associated with DCD.