ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Children with Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) show indications for mental health problems. However, these problems are poorly understood. AIMS: To identify patterns (profiles) of mental health in this population and to analyze the associations between profiles and child characteristics. METHODS AND PROCEDURES: Parents of 119 children with DCD completed the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire. OUTCOMES AND RESULTS: Results indicated that a four latent class was the best model. Profile 1 was defined as "no" mental health problems (n = 28; 24 %), Profile 2 was defined as "hyperactivity" problems (n = 53; 43.3 %), for clinical indications for hyperactivity, Profile 3 was defined as "internalizing" problems (n = 8; 7.3 %), for clinical indications for emotional symptoms and peer problems, and Profile 4 was defined as "internalizing and externalizing problems" (n = 30; 25.4 %), for clinical indications for problems in both areas. In addition, having a co-occurring disorder, accommodation plans, and using medications were associated with the profiles. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: There are distinct and unique profiles that children with DCD exhibit. Clinicians can use these profiles to better understand the presentation of mental health symptoms in this population and provide adequate services or support if mental health difficulties are present.
