Is There a “Movement Thermometer” for Developmental Coordination Disorder?

Abstract

The defining feature of Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) is a significant motor difficulty that has an impact on everyday life movement tasks. The notion of a ‘movement thermometer’ suggests that not only can the extent and severity of the motor impairment be accurately measured but also that its impact on daily activities can be gauged. Recent European guidelines on the assessment of children with DCD recommend several well-established motor tests and questionnaires for application in research and clinical practice. The formal assessment of adults, however, has been largely neglected, even though the persistence of the condition has been well documented. This article considers the assessment of motor behaviour and activities of daily living in children and adults with DCD, as well as the impact of associated features and environmental factors on the performance of everyday activities. It is argued that there is a need to go beyond the formal testing of motor skills in order to adequately assess the true ‘temperature’ or impact of the condition.