Aims: Test the psychometric properties and cut-off scores for the Canadian Little Developmental Coordination Disorder Questionnaire (Little DCDQ), which screens for coordination difficulties in children aged 3 to 4 years.
Methods: Parents of children with typical development (n = 108) and children at risk for motor problems (n = 245) completed the questionnaire. A subgroup (n = 119) of children was tested with the Movement Assessment Battery for Children-2 (MABC-2) and the Beery-Buktenica Developmental Test of visual-motor integration (VMI) to determine motor impairment (MI).
Results: Test-retest reliability (r = 0.956, p < .001) and internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha = 0.94) were high. Construct validity was supported by a factor analysis and significant difference in scores of children who were typically developing and were at risk. Concurrent validity was evaluated for the children who received standardized motor testing, with significant difference between children with and without MI. Discriminant function analysis showed that all 15 items were able to distinguish the two groups. The questionnaire correlated well with the MABC-2 and VMI. Validity as a screening tool was assessed using logistic regression modeling (X(2)(5) = 25.87, p < .001) and receiver operating curves, establishing optimal cut-off values with adequate sensitivity.
Conclusions: The Little DCDQ is a reliable, valid instrument for early identification of children with motor difficulties.
Keywords: Developmental coordination disorder, DCD, daily living skills; health systems; motor development; psychometric testing; self-care; service delivery.