Article

PURPOSE: Two objectives are being pursued: (1) to describe and compare the level
of social participation of children aged 5-13 with developmental coordination
disorder (DCD) to children of the same age with typical development (TD) and (2)
to describe and compare the level of social participation of two subgroups of
youths with DCD, e.g. children with dyspraxia affecting both the motor sphere and
the verbal sphere (mixed dyspraxia) and children with developmental dyspraxia.
METHOD: This cross-sectional study was conducted among 27 youngsters with DCD: 9
having developmental dyspraxia and 18 having mixed dyspraxia, compared to 27
same-age peers with TD. Life habits (LIFE-H) for children was used to measure
social participation. RESULTS: Levels of lifestyle achievements among youngsters
with DCD are significantly lower than those of TD youngsters in all categories.
Noteworthy differences were found between subgroups of youngsters with DCD in the
categories of life habits related to communication and education. The group with
mixed dyspraxia obtained the lowest scores. CONCLUSIONS: The achievement of a
normal lifestyle by youngsters with DCD is upset in all spheres of life. The
impact of DCD on the level of participation of these youngsters is quite
significant and affects all lifestyles measured in this study. Children with
mixed dyspraxia are particularly affected. These facts must be taken into
consideration by anyone involved in the lives of these youngsters. IMPLICATIONS
FOR REHABILITATION: It is necessary to encourage social participation of DCD
sufferers aged 5-13 in all spheres of life. Special attention should be paid to
those who have a speech disorder. Life habits concerning communication and
education may be related; greater efforts should be made to limit the negative
impact on other lifestyles. Social participation of DCD sufferers should be
measured periodically and appropriate resources must be made available to promote
training and support for clinicians. It is important to provide tools to measure
social participation for both stakeholders and parents.

Langue : ANGLAIS