Grant: Travel Awards - Institute Community Support

Attaining motor milestones such as sitting, standing, and walking are important aspects of a child's overall motor development. Children who achieve these milestones at an earlier age may be provided with more movement opportunities and practice, which could result in improved movement proficiency in childhood. Children with developmental coordination disorder (DCD) experience significant movement difficulties; however, it is not well understood when, developmentally, children with DCD begin to fall behind their peers with typical development. The purpose of this study was to examine the average age that motor milestones were attained in children at risk for DCD (DCDr) and children with typical development. The relationship between average age of motor milestone attainment and current level of motor coordination was also examined. The motor coordination of 4-5 year old children was assessed with a standardized motor assessment; children were classified as DCDr or typical development based on their assessment score. The children's parents provided information regarding the age that their child achieved critical motor milestones. Statistical tests were used to examine group differences between the average age the motor milestones were achieved, as well as the relationship between age of motor milestone attainment and motor coordination scores. The results suggest that children with DCDr achieve motor milestones such as sitting, crawling, and walking at a later age than children with typical development; however, they often still achieve these milestones within typical time frames. We also found that children who achieve their motor milestones earlier may be more likely to have better motor coordination in early childhood. These results can help to support early identification and intervention strategies for children who may be at risk of movement difficulties, such as DCD.