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Research Article  |   September 2000
Reliability and Validity of a Parent Questionnaire on Childhood Motor Skills
Brenda N. Wilson; Bonnie J. Kaplan; Susan G. Crawford; Anne Campbell; Deborah Dewey
Author Affiliations
  • Brenda N. Wilson, MS, OT(C), is Researcher, Behavioural Research Unit, Alberta Children’s Hospital Research Centre, 1820 Richmond Road S.W., Calgary, Alberta T2T 5C7, Canada; brenda.wilson@crha-health.ab.ca
  • Bonnie J. Kaplan, PhD, is Professor of Pediatrics, University of Calgary, and Director, Behavioural Research Unit, Alberta Children’s Hospital Research Centre, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
  • Susan G. Crawford, MSc, is Study Coordinator, Behavioural Research Unit, Alberta Children’s Hospital Research Centre, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
  • Anne Campbell, BSc, OT(C), is Occupational Therapist, Renfrew Educational Services, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
  • Deborah Dewey, PhD, is Associate Professor of Pediatrics, University of Calgary, and Psychologist, Behavioural Research Unit, Alberta Children’s Hospital Research Centre Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Article Information
Neurologic Conditions / Pediatric Evaluation and Intervention / Infants and Children
Research Article   |   September 2000
Reliability and Validity of a Parent Questionnaire on Childhood Motor Skills
American Journal of Occupational Therapy, September/October 2000, Vol. 54, 484-493. doi:10.5014/ajot.54.5.484
American Journal of Occupational Therapy, September/October 2000, Vol. 54, 484-493. doi:10.5014/ajot.54.5.484
Abstract

Objective. As the consequences of clumsiness in childrenbecome better understood, the need for valid measurement tools is apparent. Parent report has thepotential for providing historical knowledge of the child’s motor skills, as well as perceptions of their children’s motor difficulties. Theobjective was to develop a parent questionnaire to identifymotor difficulties in children.

Method. A sample of 306 children participated in the development of a 17-item parent questionnaire, called the Developmental Coordination Disorder Questionnaire (DCDQ). Internal consistency, concurrent and construct validity were examined.

Results. The DCDQ proved capable of distinguishing children who had motor problems (as measured by standardized tests) from children without motor problems. Correlations with standardized tests were significant. Two other studies confirmed the construct validity of the DCDQ. Factor analysis revealed four distinct factors, useful in defining the nature of the difficulties.

Conclusion. The DCDQ is a succinct and useful measure for use by occupational therapists.