Childhood Developmental Coordination Disorder: First Physical Therapy Guideline

First Physical Therapy Guideline for Pediatric Developmental Coordination Disorder
Pediatric Physical Therapy author Lisa Dannemiller, PT DSC PCS, University of Colorado, Aurora CO, discusses her team's new Guideline for physical therapy management of pediatric developmental disorder.
Source:
Pediatric Physical Therapy (Pediatr Phys Ther 2020;32:278–314)
Title:
Physical Therapy Management of Children With Developmental Coordination Disorder: An Evidence-Based Clinical Practice Guideline From the Academy of Pediatric Physical Therapy of the American Physical Therapy Association
Authors:
Lisa Dannemiller, PT, DSc, PCS; Melinda Mueller, PT, DPT, PCS; Adrah Leitner, PT, DPT, PCS; Erin Iverson, PT, DPT, PCS; Sandra L. Kaplan, PT, DPT, PhD, FAPTA
Institutions:
Physical Therapy Program (Dr Dannemiller), University of Colorado, Aurora, Colorado; Cherry Creek Public Schools (Dr Mueller), Greenwood Village, Colorado; Private Practice (Dr Leitner), Denver, Colorado; Department of Physical Therapy (Dr Iverson), Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio; Department of Rehabilitation and Movement Sciences (Dr Kaplan), Rutgers University, Newark, New Jersey.
Background:
Developmental coordination disorder (DCD), classified as a neurodevelopmental disorder in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5), affects approximately 5% to 6% of school-aged children. Characteristics of DCD include poor motor coordination and delayed development of motor skills, not explained by other conditions. Motor deficits negatively affect school productivity, performance in activities of daily living, and recreation participation. Children with coordination problems, at risk for or diagnosed with DCD, should be evaluated by a team of professionals, including a physical therapist (PT). Purpose: This clinical practice guideline (CPG) provides management strategies for PTs and informs clinicians and families about DCD. It links 13 action statements with specific levels of evidence through critical appraisal of the literature and provides recommendations for implementation.
Results/Conclusions:
The DCD CPG addresses examination, referral, first choice and supplemental interventions, discharge, compliance audits, imple- mentation, and research recommendations. Supplemental tools are provided to support PT management.
Key words:
clinical practice guideline, developmental coordination disorder, motor skills disorders, pediatrics