Evaluation of a screening instrument for developmental coordination disorder

Purpose: To validate the Children's Self-Perceptions of Adequacy in, and Predilection for Physical Activity (CSAPPA) scale as a proxy for the BOTMP test in diagnosing DCD. Methods: A sample of 209 children (M = 121; F = 87) consented to the BOTMP test, CSAPPA scale, Participation Questionnaire, Leger 20-meter Shuttle Run, and body fat using bioelectric impedance. Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve analysis and Kappa statistic were used to validate the CSAPPA scale as a predictor for significant clumsiness on the BOTMP test. Results: Prevalence of DCD was .09 +/- .03 of both males and females, all previously undiagnosed. A positive cutoff of < 47 and < 53 for DCD on the CSAPPA scale was identified in male and females, respectively. Both gender cut-offs demonstrated significant agreement (p < .01) with a positive BOTMP test. Males' results indicated a sensitivity and specificity values of .90 (CI = .18) and .89 (CI = .22). Likewise, the female subject cutoff demonstrated high sensitivity [.88 (CI = .05)] and specificity [75 (CI = .09)]. Gender specific analysis of variance (ANOVA) indicated that students identified as clumsy were not significantly different in age or height from their peers, but demonstrated significantly (p < .01) lower self-efficacy, aerobic fitness, and had significantly (p < .01) higher relative body fat. These results held true for both genders. Conclusions: These findings are consistent with the characteristics of children with DCD. These results suggest that the CSAPPA scale is a promising instrument for use in screening children for developmental coordination disorder. (C) Society for Adolescent Medicine, 2004