Self-Concept of Boys with Developmental Coordination Disorder

Children with Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) experience difficulties in motor coordination. During the last decade there has been increasing interest in the psychosocial aspects of children with motor coordination difficulties. To date, the majority of studies have focused on the perceived competence and global self-worth of children with DCD. This study examined the self-concept in academic and nonacademic domains of 30 boys (aged 7 to 12 years) with DCD. Results indicated that boys with DCD had significantly poorer self-concept for physical abilities and peer relations when compared to normative mean values. Severity of motor difficulties was significantly related to self-concept for physical abilities and reading. Self-concept plays an integral role in the holistic management of children with DCD.