Is auditory perceptual timing a core deficit of developmental coordination disorder?

Abstract

Time is an essential dimension for perceiving and processing auditory events, and for planning and producing motor behaviors. Developmental coordination disorder (DCD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder affecting 5–6% of children that is characterized by deficits in motor skills. Studies show that children with DCD have motor timing and sensorimotor timing deficits. We suggest that auditory perceptual timing deficits may also be core characteristics of DCD. This idea is consistent with evidence from several domains, (1) motor‐related brain regions are often involved in auditory timing process; (2) DCD has high comorbidity with dyslexia and attention deficit hyperactivity, which are known to be associated with auditory timing deficits; (3) a few studies report deficits in auditory–motor timing among children with DCD; and (4) our preliminary behavioral and neuroimaging results show that children with DCD at age 6 and 7 have deficits in auditory time discrimination compared to typically developing children. We propose directions for investigating auditory perceptual timing processing in DCD that use various behavioral and neuroimaging approaches. From a clinical perspective, research findings can potentially benefit our understanding of the etiology of DCD, identify early biomarkers of DCD, and can be used to develop evidence‐based interventions for DCD involving auditory–motor training.

Procedural learning and retention of audio‐verbal temporal sequence is altered in children with developmental coordination disorder but cortical thickness matters

“…Moreover, in line with the recent proposition of Trainor et al. (2018), it is possible that the general—effector‐independent and modality‐independent—deficit in SMS could result from a deficit in timing perception.…”

“…Sensorimotor timing has been proposed as a central deficit of developmental coordination disorder (DCD), which is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by impaired motor skills and affecting about 5%–6% of school‐aged children (American Psychiatric Association, 2013; Trainor, Chang, Cairney, & Li, 2018; Wilson et al., 2017). Accordingly, previous studies showed that sensorimotor synchronization in children with DCD is less stable than in children with typical development (TD; De Castelnau, Albaret, Chaix, & Zanone, 2007, 2008; Debrabant, Gheysen, Caeyenberghs, Van Waelvelde, & Vingerhoets, 2013; MacKenzie et al., 2008; Roche, Viswanathan, Clark, & Whitall, 2016; Whitall et al., 2006, 2008).…”

The Differential Effects of Auditory and Visual Stimuli on Learning, Retention and Reactivation of a Perceptual-Motor Temporal Sequence in Children With Developmental Coordination Disorder

“…We predicted that children with DCD would have more difficulties synchronizing, learning, retaining, and reactivating a new temporal sensorimotor sequence than TD children. Moreover, we expected that difficulties would be modulated by the sensory modality of the stimuli, with a greater learning deficit for auditory than visual stimuli, as per the hypothesis of Trainor et al (2018). Our results were partially consistent with our hypotheses.…”

“…On this basis, this study aims to test the hypothesis for a specific audio-motor coupling impairment using manual responses in DCD when learning, retaining, and reactivating a new temporal sequence presented with either auditory or visual stimuli. In accordance with the hypothesis of an auditory timing deficit (Trainor et al, 2018), we expected that, compared to TD children, DCD children would have a deficit in SMS, learning, retention, and reactivation for a new audio-motor temporal sequence compared to a new visuo-motor temporal sequence. More operationally, we expected children with DCD to demonstrate a lesser decrease in mean asynchrony (and a lesser increase in stability) when practicing the audio-motor sequence compared to the visuo-motor temporal sequence.…”

Is atypical rhythm a risk factor for developmental speech and language disorders?

“…However, all of these studies investigated performance in rhythm production tasks, which may be easily affected by inherent motor coordination deficits. Only Trainor et al (2018) have investigated auditory timing with perceptual tasks in DCD; their first behavioral and neuroimaging evidence suggest that auditory perceptual timing (measured with duration and rhythmic discrimination tasks) may also be impaired in this population. Interestingly, motor impairments in children with DCD have also been associated with difficulties in language processing ( Mirabella et al, 2017 ).…”