Psychometric Properties of the Little Developmental Coordination Disorder Questionnaire–Taiwan

Abstract

Abstract Importance: Early identification of young children at risk of developmental coordination disorder (DCD) can support early intervention and prevent secondary sequelae. Objective: To examine the psychometric properties of a translated and cross-culturally adapted version of the Little Developmental Coordination Disorder Questionnaire–Taiwan (LDCDQ–TW). Design: Prospective study. Setting: Kindergartens and preschools in north, central, and south Taiwan. Participants: In Phase 1 the participants were 1,124 parents of typically developing children ages 36–71 mo. Children with confirmed developmental diagnoses were excluded. Participants in Phase 3 were 162 children who had been recruited in Phase 2. Outcomes and Measures: The LDCDQ–TW, a 15-item parent questionnaire for identifying children at risk for DCD, and the Movement Assessment Battery for Children (2nd ed.; MABC–2), were administered. Results: The findings revealed excellent test–retest reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient [ICC] = .97) and poor interrater reliability (ICC = .47). On the basis of MABC–2 scores, the non-DCD group (≥15th percentile) scored significantly higher than the DCD and suspect-DCD groups on the LDCDQ–TW, but the latter two groups did not differ from one another. Using the 15th percentile as a cutoff for both the MABC–2 and the LDCDQ–TW, sensitivity was .96 and specificity was .68. Conclusions and Relevance: Although standardized performance-based assessments are required to confirm a diagnosis of DCD (typically after age 5 yr), the LDCDQ–TW demonstrated sound reliability and validity and can support the early identification of young children at risk of DCD in Taiwan. What This Article Adds: The LDCDQ–TW can facilitate early intervention for DCD and prevent secondary sequelae, improving outcomes for children with DCD.