Updated psychometric assessment of the original Little Developmental Coordination Disorder Questionnaire (LDCDQ)

AIM: The Little Developmental Coordination Disorder Questionnaire (LDCDQ) is a screening tool for identifying preschool children who may have Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD), originally developed in the Hebrew language. This study updated the original LDCDQ's psychometric properties with an expanded sample size, and ascertained sensitivity, specificity and cutoff scores. METHOD: An observational cross-sectional study design with convenience and snowball sampling was employed. Israeli preschool children aged 36-59 months (n = 399; 48.48 + 6.73) were recruited to two groups (typically developing [TD] n = 269; 47.65 + 6.78; referred n = 130; 50.09 + 6.35). The LDCDQ and a demographic questionnaire were completed for all children. The Movement Assessment Battery for Children, Second Edition (MABC2) was administered to n = 77 children (n = 24 TD). Receiver operating curves (ROCs) were used to investigate sensitivity and specificity, and propose cutoff scores. RESULTS: Internal consistency was confirmed (total score: ɑ = 0.922). Study groups differed significantly (p < 0.001) on LDCDQ total and subscores. The MABC2 and LDCDQ total scores were moderately correlated (r = 0.51; p < 0.001) suggesting concurrent validity. Binary logistic regressions revealed that the LDCDQ total and all subscores significantly predicted study group placement. Sensitivity (95-100 %), specificity (65-69 %), and proposed cutoff scores were established using ROC. CONCLUSION: The LDCDQ is a valid, reliable and free-of-charge screening tool that can be used to identify preschool children showing early motor coordination difficulties, who may benefit from early motor development support, and who may ultimately need referral for DCD assessment.