Life impact of developmental coordination disorder: Qualitative analysis of patient and therapist experiences

Abstract

DCD are one of the more commonly occurring forms of Developmental disorder managed by therapists and their teams worldwide. The impacts of this disorder are not restricted to limitation in activity of daily living and participation in sports and academic activities with peer groups, but may also result in long term physical co morbidities, psychological, and social consequences. There is currently no gold standard assessment tool in the identification of DCD; however specific patient-reported outcome measures DCDQ remains in practice. This analysis aimed to develop a conceptual framework of life impacts of developmental coordination disorder from the experiences of caregivers and parents whohave DCD Children as well as the health professionals who treat them. A qualitative investigation was done using semi-structured interviews with people (n=12) who had handling children with DCD (Caregivers/patients) and Therapists (n=6) who treat children with DCD. Interviews with caregivers were recorder and 1 therapist has been individually allotted for transcribing each phrase and codes them. The recorded and coded phrases were finally grouped in categories. Experience of health professionals ranged from 1 year to 15 years working with people withDCD. Health professionals included apediatrician (1), physiotherapists (2), psychiatrist (1) and an occupational therapist (1). The conceptual framework derived from interview data included five themes (Physical, Occupational, Psychological, Daily Living, and Social). Therapist responses did not reveal any additional items, but majority of responses focus on physical and occupational therapy scope. The nature of life impact following DCD affects many areas of life. The findings from this research have provided an empirically derived conceptual framework from which a gold standard outcome measure can be designed for a geographic location.