Clinical trial NCT05092893: Social Skills in Children With Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD)
Official title: Social Skills in Children With Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD): a Cross-sectional Study
Study type: OBSERVATIONAL
Overall status: COMPLETED
Conditions: Developmental Coordination Disorder
Keywords: Children
Social communication
Lead sponsor: University Ghent
Sponsor class: OTHER
First posted: 2021-10-26
Enrollment: 175
Sex: ALL
Minimum age (years): 5
Maximum age (years): 15
Standard ages: CHILD
Observational model: CASE_ONLY
Time perspective: CROSS_SECTIONAL
Sampling method: PROBABILITY_SAMPLE
Study population: All children diagnosed with DCD in Belgium and The Netherlands between 5 and 15y.

Brief summary: In this study we will examine the social-communicative skills of children with Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) by using online parental questionnaires in children aged 5 to 15y.

Detailed description: Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder described in the DSM-V characterized by motor coordination problems which significantly interfere with daily living activities and participation. The problems cannot be explained by another disorder and are already present in early life.

Although DCD is a 'motor' disorder, other domains may equally be affected. Children with DCD show lower health-related quality of life, more socio-emotional problems, and experience more academic difficulties. It has been proposed that social skills may mediate the emergence of socio-emotional problems at a later age. Previous research has suggested that socials skills of children with DCD may be altered. However, the process remains unclear. One possible hypothesis is that early motor coordination problems leads to avoiding or inhibits age-appropriate physical and social activities, which may reduce the opportunities to develop adequate socials skills and/or may impact negatively on a child's developing self-esteem and create a sense of isolation and exclusion.

Indeed, it has been reported that these children spend more time playing alone and are often onlookers instead of actively engaging in play. In general they exhibit a lower participation rate which may contribute to the reported poorer peer relations, less (deep) friendships, and a tendency for more bullying and loneliness. They also feel less competent in peer and social relations. Poorer social interaction skills and more social communication problems have been recognized in these children even interfering in non-verbal skills such as poorer recognizing of facial expressions and emotions and a reduced tendency to follow gaze which may be similar to children with ASD.

It can be debated if these social problems are comorbid or rather a secondary consequence.

With this study the investigators aim to map social responsiveness problems in children with Developmental Coordination Disorder and clarify if and which domains are most affected. The investigators defined the following research question: "Do children with Developmental Coordination Disorder experience social responsiveness problems compared to typically developing children? If so, which domains are most affected?".

Eligibility criteria: Inclusion Criteria:

* Confirmed diagnosis of DCD
* Comorbidities are allowed (f.e. ASD, ADHD, ADD,...)

Exclusion Criteria:

- Any other neurodevelopmental disorder which might affect motor development (f.e. CP).

Primary outcomes:
measure: Social Responsiveness Questionnaire
timeFrame: through study completion, an average of 6 months
Secondary outcomes:
Other outcomes:
Locations:
city: Ghent
country: Belgium
facility: Ghent University
Study officials:
affiliation: University Ghent
name: Dominique Van de Velde
role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR
References: