Original Research
Disorder of attention, motor control and perception in Grade 1 boys and girls
Submitted: 27 November 2023 | Published: 09 August 2024
About the author(s)
Monique de Milander, Department of Exercise and Sport Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South AfricaRobert Schall, Department of Mathematical Statistics and Actuarial Science, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa
Mareli Willemse, Independent Researcher, Nelspruit, South Africa
Jason-Paul Buchholz, Independent Researcher, Balito, South Africa
Stacey-Lauren Fredericks, Independent Researcher, Johannesburg, South Africa
Hebeth R. Jonck, Independent Researcher, Hoopstad, South Africa
Leandrei van den Bergh, Independent Researcher, Johannesburg, South Africa
Abstract
Background: Researchers continue to investigate the predictive validity of motor assessment in learners with disorder of attention, motor control and perception (DAMP).
Aim: Determine the prevalence of attention-deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD) and developmental coordination disorder (DCD); assess their association in Grade 1 children.
Setting: Two primary schools located within 30 km of the University of the Free State, Bloemfontein.
Methods: Attention deficit disorder or attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADD/ ADHD) was assessed using the strength and weaknesses of ADD/ADHD symptoms normal behaviour rating scale (SWAN) and DCD using the Movement Assessment Battery for Children – 2 (MABC-2).
Results: One-hundred-and-ninety-five children (97 girls; 98 boys) aged 6 years to 8 years participated. MABC-2 and SWAN data were available for 195 and 182 children, respectively. Across both genders, 180 participants (92.3%) had no, 10 (5.1%) had moderate and 5 (2.6%) had severe motor difficulties. No statistically significant association (p = 0.1537) between gender and DCD was found. Similarly, 31 (17.0%) participants had ADHD subtype ADHD-I, 21 (11.5%) ADHD-H and 11 (6.0%) ADHD-C; no significant associations between gender and ADHD-I (p = 0.5579), ADHD-H (p = 0.4938) or ADHD-C (p = 0.7654) were found. There were no significant associations between DCD and the ADHD subtypes ADHD-I (p = 0.2956), ADHD-H (p = 0.7570) and ADHD-C (p = 1.000).
Conclusion: Prevalence of DCD in the current study is higher than elsewhere in the world. No significant association between DCD and ADHD was found.
Keywords
Sustainable Development Goal
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