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Neveu M, Schwartz C, Rousselle L. Finger counting to relieve working memory in children with developmental coordination disorder: Insights from behavioral and three-dimensional motion analyses. J Exp Child Psychol 2024; 243:105909. [PMID: 38522387 DOI: 10.1016/j.jecp.2024.105909] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2023] [Revised: 02/25/2024] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 03/26/2024]
Abstract
A limited number of studies have attempted to understand how motor deficits affect numerical abilities in children with developmental coordination disorder (DCD). The purpose of this study was to explore the functionality of finger-counting (FC) in children with DCD. The participants, 15 children with DCD and 15 typically developing (TD) children matched on school level and fluid reasoning abilities, were asked to use FC to solve an ordinal task with high working memory (WM) load. Behavioral measures supplemented with biomechanical measures, from three-dimensional motion analysis synchronized to a voice recording were used to assess children's performance and FC functionality (total duration, inter-finger [IF] transition, IF variance, finger/voice synchronization, and automatization of FC movements). Children with DCD were less accurate than TD children in using FC to solve ordinal problems with high WM load. This group difference could not be accounted for by poor FC skills given that FC movement turned out to be as functional in children with DCD as in their TD peers. When added to the model as a covariate, WM captured a greater proportion of intergroup variability than manual dexterity, further suggesting that their difficulties would be better accounted for by limited WM resources than by fine motor skills.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maëlle Neveu
- Research Unit for a Life-Course Perspective on Health & Education, University of Liège, B-4000 Liège, Belgium; National Fund for Scientific Research (F.R.S.-FNRS), B-1000 Bruxelles, Belgium.
| | - Cédric Schwartz
- Laboratory of Movement Analysis (LAM)-Motion Lab, University of Liège, B-4000 Liège, Belgium
| | - Laurence Rousselle
- Research Unit for a Life-Course Perspective on Health & Education, University of Liège, B-4000 Liège, Belgium
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Carrillo C, Chang A, Armstrong H, Cairney J, McAuley JD, Trainor LJ. Auditory rhythm facilitates perception and action in children at risk for developmental coordination disorder. Sci Rep 2024; 14:12203. [PMID: 38806554 PMCID: PMC11133375 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-62322-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2023] [Accepted: 05/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/30/2024] Open
Abstract
Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) is a common neurodevelopmental disorder featuring deficits in motor coordination and motor timing among children. Deficits in rhythmic tracking, including perceptually tracking and synchronizing action with auditory rhythms, have been studied in a wide range of motor disorders, providing a foundation for developing rehabilitation programs incorporating auditory rhythms. We tested whether DCD also features these auditory-motor deficits among 7-10 year-old children. In a speech recognition task with no overt motor component, modulating the speech rhythm interfered more with the performance of children at risk for DCD than typically developing (TD) children. A set of auditory-motor tapping tasks further showed that, although children at risk for DCD performed worse than TD children in general, the presence of an auditory rhythmic cue (isochronous metronome or music) facilitated the temporal consistency of tapping. Finally, accuracy in the recognition of rhythmically modulated speech and tapping consistency correlated with performance on the standardized motor assessment. Together, the results show auditory rhythmic regularity benefits auditory perception and auditory-motor coordination in children at risk for DCD. This provides a foundation for future clinical studies to develop evidence-based interventions involving auditory-motor rhythmic coordination for children with DCD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chantal Carrillo
- Department of Psychology, Neuroscience, and Behaviour, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada.
| | - Andrew Chang
- Department of Psychology, Neuroscience, and Behaviour, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
- Department of Psychology, New York University, New York, USA
| | - Hannah Armstrong
- Department of Psychology, Neuroscience, and Behaviour, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - John Cairney
- Infant and Child Health (INCH) Lab, Department of Family Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
- School of Human Movement and Nutrition Sciences, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - J Devin McAuley
- Department of Psychology, Michigan State University, Michigan, USA
| | - Laurel J Trainor
- Department of Psychology, Neuroscience, and Behaviour, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
- McMaster Institute for Music and the Mind, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
- Rotman Research Institute, Baycrest Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada
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Lang J, Wylie G, Haig C, Gillberg C, Minnis H. Towards system redesign: An exploratory analysis of neurodivergent traits in a childhood population referred for autism assessment. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0296077. [PMID: 38198484 PMCID: PMC10781046 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0296077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2023] [Accepted: 12/05/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Children's health services in many countries are moving from single condition diagnostic silo assessments to considering neurodevelopment in a more holistic sense. There has been increasing recognition of the importance of clinical overlap and co-occurrence of different neurotypes when assessing neurodivergent children. Using a cross-sectional service evaluation design, we investigated the overlap of neurodivergences in a cohort of children referred for autism assessment, focusing on motor, learning, and attention/activity level domains. We aimed to determine what proportion of children in a cohort referred for an autism assessment showed traits of additional neurodivergences, and what proportion were further investigated. METHODS We evaluated anonymised medical records of children aged between two and 17 years referred for autism assessment. We used validated questionnaires to assess for neurodivergent traits. A weighted scoring system was developed to determine traits in each neurodevelopmental domain and a score above the median was considered to indicate a neurodivergent trait. Evidence of further investigations were recorded. We then examined the relationships between autism traits and traits of additional neurodivergence. RESULTS 114 participants were included for evaluation. 62.3% (n = 71) had completed questionnaires for analysis. Of these, 71.8% (n = 51) scored greater than the median for at least one additional neurotype, indicating the presence of other neurodivergent traits, and 88.7% (n = 64) attracted a diagnosis of autism. Only 26.3% of children with evidence of additional neurotypes were further investigated beyond their autism assessment. CONCLUSIONS Our results demonstrate the extensive overlap between additional neurodivergent traits in a population of children referred with suspected autism and show that only a small proportion were further investigated. The use of standardised questionnaires to uncover additional neurodivergences may have utility in improving the holistic nature of neurodevelopmental assessments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jason Lang
- School of Health and Wellbeing, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, Scotland
| | - Georgia Wylie
- School of Medicine, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, Scotland
| | - Caroline Haig
- School of Health and Wellbeing, Robertson Centre for Biostatistics, Glasgow, Scotland
| | | | - Helen Minnis
- School of Health and Wellbeing, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, Scotland
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Scott H, Shoulberg EK, Dennis M, Krasner A, Smith AL, Hoza B. Associations of ADHD-Risk and Motor Competence With School Functioning. J Atten Disord 2024; 28:31-42. [PMID: 37694559 DOI: 10.1177/10870547231197214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/12/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES This study investigated the unique associations of motor competence and ADHD risk status on school functioning. Additionally, this study examined the factor structure of the Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency, Short Form (BOT2-SF). METHODS Participants included early elementary school children (N = 202, Mage = 6.83, SD = 0.96, Male = 53.5%, ADHD-risk = 46.5%). Child assessments of motor competence and teacher and parent reports of school functioning were used. RESULTS A two-factor model of the BOT2-SF with correlated fine and gross motor factors and correlated residuals best fit the data. Fine and gross motor competence were unique positive predictors of academic performance, after accounting for the effects of ADHD-risk on academic performance. ADHD-risk was the only unique predictor of adaptive school behavior. CONCLUSION Findings suggest that assessing for ADHD and motor competence in children demonstrating school functioning problems may better allow for targeted intervention in school.
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冯 叶. [Recent research on the long-term neurodevelopmental outcomes of very preterm infants]. ZHONGGUO DANG DAI ER KE ZA ZHI = CHINESE JOURNAL OF CONTEMPORARY PEDIATRICS 2023; 25:1066-1071. [PMID: 37905765 PMCID: PMC10621061 DOI: 10.7499/j.issn.1008-8830.2305072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2023] [Accepted: 08/16/2023] [Indexed: 11/02/2023]
Abstract
With the increase in the survival rate of very preterm infants, the long-term neurodevelopmental outcomes of such infants have attracted more and more attention. Very preterm infants tend to develop movement disorders and psychological and behavioral problems, including cerebral palsy, developmental coordination disorders, autism spectrum disorders, attention deficit hyperactivity disorders, specific learning disorders, and intellectual developmental disorders. It is of vital importance to improve the long-term prognosis of very preterm infants, and early comprehensive intervention measures can minimize disability and achieve optimal parenting outcomes. This article provides a review of the research progress on the long-term neurodevelopmental outcomes in extremely preterm infants.
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Critten S, Connelly V, Dockrell JE, Mundy IR, O’Rourke L, Callaghan L, Walter K. Handwriting processes when spelling morphologically complex words in children with and without Developmental Language Disorder. Front Psychol 2023; 14:1112462. [PMID: 37287777 PMCID: PMC10243193 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1112462] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2022] [Accepted: 05/03/2023] [Indexed: 06/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Representations activated during handwriting production code information on morphological structure and reflect decomposition of the root and suffix. Children with Developmental Language Disorder (DLD) have significant difficulties in spelling morphologically complex words, but previous research has not sought evidence for a morphological decomposition effect via an examination of handwriting processes in this population. Method Thirty-three children aged 9-10 years with DLD, 33 children matched for chronological age (CA), and 33 younger children aged 7-8 years matched for oral language ability (LA) completed a dictated spelling task (21 words; 12 with inflectional suffixes, nine with derivational suffixes). The task was completed on paper with an inking pen linked to a graphics tablet running the handwriting software Eye and Pen. Pause analyses and letter duration analyses were conducted. Results The three groups showed similar handwriting processes, evidencing a morphological decomposition effect in a natural writing task. Pause durations observed at the root/suffix boundary were significantly longer than those occurring in the root. Letter durations were also significantly longer for the letter immediately prior to the boundary compared to the letter after it. Nevertheless, despite being commensurate to their LA matches for mean pause durations and letter durations, children with DLD were significantly poorer at spelling derivational morphemes. Handwriting processes did significantly predict spelling accuracy but to a much lesser extent compared to reading ability. Discussion It is suggested that derivational spelling difficulties in DLD may derive more from problems with underspecified orthographic representations as opposed to handwriting processing differences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Critten
- School of Education, Childhood, Youth and Sport, The Open University, Milton Keynes, United Kingdom
| | - Vincent Connelly
- Department of Psychology, Health and Professional Development, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Julie E. Dockrell
- Institute of Education, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Ian R. Mundy
- School of Social Sciences, Birmingham City University, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Lynsey O’Rourke
- Department of Psychology, Health and Professional Development, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | | | - Kirsty Walter
- Department of Psychology, Health and Professional Development, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford, United Kingdom
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Efficacy of a Task-Oriented Intervention for Children with a Dual Diagnosis of Specific Learning Disabilities and Developmental Coordination Disorder: A Pilot Study. CHILDREN 2023; 10:children10030415. [PMID: 36979973 PMCID: PMC10047892 DOI: 10.3390/children10030415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2022] [Revised: 01/13/2023] [Accepted: 02/17/2023] [Indexed: 02/24/2023]
Abstract
Background: Task-oriented approaches are recommended for children with developmental coordination disorder (DCD) to address deficits in motor performance and reduce activity limitations. Although this approach is used in several settings, the efficacy of these approaches in children with in dual-diagnosis of specific learning disabilities (SLD) and DCD is less widely known. This study aims to determine the effect of a group-based intervention based on neuromotor task training (NTT) principles on the motor performance of children aged 6–10 years with SLD/DCD. Methods: A pre-post-test controlled study design was conducted in children with a primary diagnosis of specific learning disabilities (SLD). DCD status was confirmed based on clinical assessment. Children scoring ≤16th percentile on the Motor Assessment Battery for Children 2nd Edition (MABC-2), who also presented with a functional motor problem, according to the MABC checklist were considered as having DCD. Children were allocated to the NTT intervention group based on teachers’ perceived notion of need and received two 45–60 min training sessions per week for nine weeks. Children allocated to the usual care (UC) group, received their planned occupational therapy and physical education. The MABC-2 was used to assess changes in motor performance. Outcome and Results: Our numbers confirm that it is crucial to identify the presence of motor coordination difficulties in children who have been diagnosed with SLD. A task-oriented training program based on NTT principles, presented in small groups, has a positive effect on the motor performance in learners with neurodevelopmental disorders and this effect was larger than in the usual care group. Conclusion and Implications: Although using a small group format in children with multiple neurodevelopmental disorders may be challenging for the therapists, it may be a way of delivering services to children in schools for special education. What this paper adds: Children with DCD plus LSD show improvement in their motor skills by performing group-based NTT in the school environment. Group-based NTT shows a significant improvement in the TSS score of the MABC-2 compared to usual care. Children with DCD plus SLD show equal effect sizes after NTT intervention as DCD without SLD.
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Zappullo I, Conson M, Baiano C, Cecere R, Raimo G, Kirby A. The Relationships between Self-Reported Motor Functioning and Autistic Traits: The Italian Version of the Adult Developmental Coordination Disorders/Dyspraxia Checklist (ADC). INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:1101. [PMID: 36673857 PMCID: PMC9859597 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20021101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2022] [Revised: 01/05/2023] [Accepted: 01/06/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND We developed the Italian version of the adult developmental co-ordination disorders/dyspraxia checklist (ADC), providing reliability and concurrent validity data for the scale (Aim 1). In addition, we investigated the relationships between motor coordination difficulties and different autistic traits (Aim 2). METHODS 498 participants (341 females; age range = 18-34) underwent the Italian version of the ADC, as well as a handwriting speed test, the autism spectrum quotient, the empathy quotient, and the systemizing quotient. RESULTS The distinction between three main factors (A, B, and C) identified in the original version of the ADC was confirmed here. Internal consistency of the ADC subscales was adequate, as well as the correlation with the handwriting speed test used to assess concurrent validity. No substantial sex differences on the ADC scores were found. Furthermore, data revealed that poor autistic-related communication skills and lower levels of systemizing tendencies were, among all the investigated autistic traits, those more strongly associated with higher motor coordination difficulties. CONCLUSIONS The Italian ADC seems a valuable tool for assessing motor coordination difficulties in adults and can reveal the nuanced impact exerted by different autistic traits on self-reported motor functioning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isa Zappullo
- Department of Psychology, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, 81100 Caserta, Italy
| | - Massimiliano Conson
- Department of Psychology, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, 81100 Caserta, Italy
| | | | - Roberta Cecere
- Department of Psychology, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, 81100 Caserta, Italy
| | - Gennaro Raimo
- Department of Psychology, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, 81100 Caserta, Italy
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Pinero-Pinto E, Romero-Galisteo RP, Sánchez-González MC, Escobio-Prieto I, Luque-Moreno C, Palomo-Carrión R. Motor Skills and Visual Deficits in Developmental Coordination Disorder: A Narrative Review. J Clin Med 2022; 11:jcm11247447. [PMID: 36556062 PMCID: PMC9784736 DOI: 10.3390/jcm11247447] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2022] [Revised: 12/01/2022] [Accepted: 12/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Developmental coordination disorder (DCD) is a developmental disorder in which numerous comorbidities seem to coexist, such as motor and visual impairment and some executive functions; Methods: A narrative review on motor and visual deficits in children with DCD was carried out; Results and Discussion: Fine and gross motor skills are affected in children with DCD. In addition, they seem to be related to visual deficits, such as difficulty in visual perception, sensory processing and visual memory. Limitations have also been found in accommodation. Interventions in children with DCD should be aimed at improving both aspects, since vision affects motor skills and vice versa; Conclusions: In children with DCD, who present a marked deficit in global shape processing, it causes an association between deficiencies in visual perception and motor skills.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Pinero-Pinto
- Department of Physical Therapy. Faculty of Nursing, Physiotherapy and Podiatry, University of Seville, 41009 Seville, Spain
| | - Rita Pilar Romero-Galisteo
- Department of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Science Health, University of Málaga, 29016 Málaga, Spain
- Correspondence:
| | | | - Isabel Escobio-Prieto
- Department of Physical Therapy. Faculty of Nursing, Physiotherapy and Podiatry, University of Seville, 41009 Seville, Spain
- Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla (IBIS), 41013 Seville, Spain
| | - Carlos Luque-Moreno
- Department of Physical Therapy. Faculty of Nursing, Physiotherapy and Podiatry, University of Seville, 41009 Seville, Spain
- Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla (IBIS), 41013 Seville, Spain
| | - Rocío Palomo-Carrión
- Department of Nursing, Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Physiotherapy and Nursing, University of Castilla-La Mancha, 45071 Toledo, Spain
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