Developmental Coordination Disorder and Intellectual Disabilities

Abstract

Children with intellectual disabilities (ID) may have motor symptoms similar to those of children with developmental coordination disorder (DCD). The motor problems are likely to aggravate their lesser opportunities for participation and may lead to developmental and health issues due to inactivity. Gross motor skill proficiency is essential for engagement in sports and physical play and for the development of a healthy lifestyle. Their motor skills may be tested using the validated instruments for children with DCD, adapting the instruction and other cognitive demands if needed, but normative data for this population is lacking. There is real need to improve the motor skill deficiencies in children with ID; task oriented interventions provide the best-researched opportunity to improve motor skills in DCD. It is recommended that intervention programs also include aspects to influence weight status in ID children. Existing intervention programs to improve selected motor skills and to promote physical activity and health may be adapted from evidence-based programs for children with motor problems. Future research should validate these. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved)