Developmental Coordination Disorder and Self-Esteem: Do Occupational Therapy Groups Have a Positive Effect?

Abstract

Children with developmental coordination disorder (DCD) have motor difficulties that impede the acquisition of both functional and academic skills and evidence suggests that these children may also have reduced self-esteem. One approach to treatment often adopted by occupational therapists is in the form of group therapy. Anecdotal evidence indicates that although these groups may produce little improvement in motor skills, there may be an associated increase in the children's self-confidence and self-esteem. This pilot study aimed to evaluate whether this was the case. A mixed methodology was used to evaluate the self-esteem of 12 children with DCD and to obtain the views of their parents/carers. A repeated measure design was used to assess the children using a validated measure of self-esteem, the Culture-Free Self-Esteem Inventories (CFSEI-2, Battle 1992), at initial assessment and pre and post therapy group. The parents/carers of the children were asked to complete a questionnaire during the last therapy group session and this formed the basis of a post-group interview. The results indicated that for this group of children the therapy groups did have a positive effect on their self-esteem in the majority of cases. Although it is unreasonable to draw definite conclusions from this pilot study because of the small sample size, possible implications for policy and practice are discussed and suggestions for further research are given.

Quality of life domains affected in children with developmental coordination disorder: a systematic review

“…2003; Dunford et al . 2005; McWilliams 2005), likely because of a sense of failure in mastering everyday activities (Mandich et al . 2003).…”

“…The more liberal cut‐off for DCD was also employed in several studies without a control group where QOL‐related concerns were identified (Smyth & Anderson 2000; Dunford et al . 2005; McWilliams 2005; Green et al . 2006; Missiuna et al .…”

Dyspraxia or developmental coordination disorder? Unravelling the enigma

“…Preliminary data have certainly suggested that teacher and parental intervention may help some children with DCD. 29 Standardised questionnaires could be used, such as the Perceived Efficacy and Goal Setting System tool which includes a care giver and teacher questionnaire. 30 31 A child's right to express its views is enshrined in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, 32 and attempts are being made by clinicians to include the views of the child with coordination difficulties.…”

Good Practice in the Conduct and Reporting of Practitioner Research: Reflections from Social Work And Social Care

“…There was also an attempt at achieving full census within a borough (Slack and Webber 2007). Variable levels of reflection on research processes were evident (partial exceptions where there were higher levels included Godfrey 2004;McWilliams 2005;Welch and Dawson 2006;McKay et al 2011). Data were typically viewed in realist terms, and, despite some interest in reflective practice in social care, there appeared to be limited awareness of, and engagement with, reflexivity.…”

“…There were studies where chosen scales were adopted because their reliability and validity had been established in previous studies (Holmes 1998;Goodacre and Turner 2005;Knox and Menzies 2005;McWilliams 2005). Many studies emphasised the importance of piloting prior to data collection proper (e.g.…”