This thesis deals with a) The investigation of the problem of clumsiness resulting from developmental apraxia and agnosia ; b) the development of effective screening tests particularly suitable for employment by medical practitioners and specialist schoolteachers for the identification of these children. Chapter 2 reports the detailed initial investigation in Great Britain of 21 such clumsy children who had been referred for diagnosis and management. This study in turn stimulated a clinical survey of developmental clumsiness in Western Australian schoolchildren described and analysed in Chapters 3 and 4. It was anticipated that this survey would yield information regarding the magnitude of the problem and would provide normative data regarding motor performance in children. Subsequently these data were to be the basis of a set of standardized tests of motor proficiency in children (Chapter 4). In order to obtain information efficiently and to develop these tests it seemed most rational to commence with a pilot study of a relatively small number of children, when after statistical analysis it would become evident which tests were the most reliable, effective and convenient (Chapter 3). A comprehensive review of the subject of developmental apraxia and agnosia constitutes the final chapter of this thesis (Chapter 5).

Affecting approximately 5-6% of the primary school population, developmental coordination disorder (DCD) is a condition characterized by poor motor proficiency that interferes with a child’s activities of daily living. The cause of DCD is not yet understood; however, it is known that children with DCD are more likely to have other co-occurring developmental disorders such as attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). While there is a growing body of evidence linking ADHD to smoke exposure in utero, there is limited research investigating a similar link between smoke exposure in utero and DCD. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of SHS exposure in utero in children with DCD and a group of typically developing (TD) children. Methods – A case-control study was conducted to compare children with DCD to TD children on their exposure to SHS in utero and other demographic variables. At baseline, participants included 63 DCD children and 63 healthy controls. All children were assessed for motor proficiency, intelligence, and ADHD. Mother’s SHS exposure during pregnancy and other demographic variables were obtained from a parent completed survey. Results – Multinomial logistic regression analyses revealed that children exposed to SHS in utero were significantly more likely to be at high risk for DCD than children who were not exposed to SHS in utero, even after adjusting for associated demographic variables. Furthermore, children exposed to SHS in utero were significantly more likely to be at moderate-high risk for DCD, whether or not ADHD was co-occurring. Conclusion – Results from this study suggest that exposure to SHS during pregnancy has negative effects on fetal development and appears to be a contributor for DCD. Further study is needed to examine the specific mechanisms linking SHS exposure in utero to motor coordination problems in children. / Thesis / Master of Science (MSc)

Aim Developmental Coordination Disorder Questionnaire 2007 (DCDQ'07) is an international survey tool based on parents' estimation of their child's motor coordination skills. The purpose of this study was to investigate the validity of a Swedish version of DCDQ'07 by finding out how the classification of Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) via DCDQ'07 is consistent with the classification of DCD via the motor impairment test, Movement ABC. MethodIn the context of a larger study, a Swedish translated version of the parent survey DCDQ'07 were sent to 4000 randomly selected families with children aged 8 - 10 years in Stockholm County. The classifications "DCD" or "NOT DCD" with cut-off values ​​of 56 (9 years) and 57 (10 years) were applied. Forty families were selected from 410 registered responses. Parents and children were invited to the Swedish School of Sport and Health Sciences for additional motor skills tests. Thirty-four children (8.5 ± 0.6 years) completed the quantitative part of the Movement ABC chosen as the standard criteria for motor performance with the 15th percentile as a criterion for DCD. Data processing was performed in IBM SPSS Statistics 19. Receiver Operator Characteristic curve (ROC) was used to determine positive criterion for DCDQ'07. The correlation analysis Spearman's Rho was used. Level of significance was set at p <0.05. ResultsAt the cut-off values ​​of <56 (9 years) and <57 (10 years) the DCDQ'07 reached a sensitivity of 80 %, a specificity of 67 % and positive predicted value (ppv) of 50 %. The accepted consensus with Kappa was just below 0.4. Significant correlations were found between the Movement ABC and the total score of DCDQ'07 (r = - 0,61) and between the three subcomponents in DCDQ'07 and the sub-tasks of the Movement ABC, except one task. ConclusionThe Swedish version of DCDQ’07 exhibits an acceptable validity and is a useful screening instrument to identify children with suspected DCD. The test meets the requirement (80 %) to identify children with motor problems (sensitivity) and satisfy nearly requirement (70 %) for specificity, which is the ability to correctly identify children without motor problems. Cut-off values ​​between 48 and 57 are recommended, depending which groups should be investigated. Lower values ​​are recommended for clinical groups and higher for population-based studies. / Syfte och frågeställningar Developmental Coordination Disorder Questionnaire 2007 (DCDQ’07) är ett internationellt enkätverktyg som utgår från föräldrars skattning av sitt barns motorik. Syftet med studien var att undersöka validiteten i en svensk version av DCDQ’07 genom att ta reda på hur klassificeringen av Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) via DCDQ’07 stämmer med klassificering av DCD via motoriktestet Movement ABC. Metod I samband med en större studie skickades en svensk översatt version av föräldrarenkäten DCDQ’07 ut till 4000 slumpvis utvalda familjer med barn i åldrarna 8 ─ 10 år i Stockholms län. Klassificeringarna ”DCD” eller ”NOT DCD” med cutoff värdena 56 (9 år) och 57 (10 år) tillämpades. Bland 410 registrerade svar valdes 40 familjer ut. Föräldrar och barn bjöds in till Gymnastik- och idrottshögskolan för ytterligare motoriktest. Trettiofyra barn (8.5 ± 0,6 år) genomförde den kvantitativa delen av Movement ABC som valts som standard för motorisk förmåga med 15:e percentilen som kriterium för DCD. Databearbetning utfördes i IBM SPSS Statistics 19. Receiver- operator characteristic curve (ROC graf) användes för att fastställa positivt kriterium för DCDQ’07. För korrelationsanalys användes Spearmans Rho.  Signifikansnivån sattes till p<0,05. Resultat Vid cutoff värdena <56 (9 år) och < 57 (10 år) i DCDQ’07 nåddes en sensitivitet på 80 %, en specificitet på 67 % och positive predicted value (ppv) på 50 %.  Den accepterade samstämmigheten med Kappa var strax under 0.4 . Signifikant korrelation påvisades mellan Movement ABC och totalpoäng på DCDQ’07 (r = - 0,61) och mellan de tre delkomponenterna i DCDQ’07 och samtliga deluppgifter i Movement ABC, förutom en uppgift.   Slutsats Den svenska versionen av DCDQ’07 uppvisar en acceptabel validitet och är ett lämpligt screeningsinstrument för att fånga upp barn med motoriska problem. Testet möter kravet (80 %) för att identifiera barn med trolig DCD (sensitivitet) och uppfyller nästan kravet (70 %) för specificitet, dvs. förmåga att korrekt identifiera barn utan problem. Cutoff värden mellan 48 och 57 rekommenderas beroende vilka grupper som skall undersökas. Lägre värden rekommenderas för kliniska grupper och högre för populationsstudier.

Thesis (MScPhysio (Interdisciplinary Health Sciences. Physiotherapy))--University of Stellenbosch, 2009. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Background: Children who lack the motor coordination to perform the tasks that have usually been acquired at their age, given normal intellectual ability and the absence of other neurological disorders, are classified as having Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) according to DSMIV. Limited professional resources prohibit individual therapy and these children are being treated in “gross motor groups” regardless of the fact that this has limited proven efficacy. This study aims to investigate whether group exercise physiotherapy does improve the gross motor function of children with DCD aged six to ten years old. Methods: Thirty-nine children were assessed at pre and post intervention on the Movement Assessment Battery for Children (M-ABC) as well as the Perceived Efficacy and Goal Setting (PEGS) questionnaire by a blinded research assistant. They were randomly allocated to either a control (N=19) or an intervention group (N=20). The intervention group was then further subdivided into groups of four to six per group to attend group exercise sessions of 30 – 45 minutes three times per week. Group exercises were aimed at improving manual dexterity, ball skills and balance by incorporating aerobic exercises, strengthening exercises, coordination as well as task specific activities. Results: There was a significant increase (p=.028) in the total scores tested by the experimental group on the M-ABC after the eight week intervention. Manual dexterity skills had improved significantly (p=.035). There was a trend for ball skills to improve (p=.088) but no improvement was recorded for static or dynamic balance post intervention. PEGS results indicated that subjects considered themselves as very competent regardless of their abilities. Conclusions: The results of this study support the hypothesis that an eight week group exercise program can improve the gross motor skills of children with DCD. It would seem that implementing such an intervention is a viable option, especially where resources limit the availability of one to one therapy. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Agtergrond: Kinders wat „n gebrek aan motoriese koördinasie het om ouderdoms verwante take te verrig, gegewe dat hulle normale intellektuele vermoëns het en die afwesigheid van ander neorologiese abnormaliteite, word geklassifiseer as “Developmental Coordination Disorder” (DCD) volgens die DSM IV. Beperkte professionele menslike hulpbronne voorkom individele terapie en hierdie kinders word gewoonlik behandel in grofmotoriese groepe, ongeag dat daar min bewyse is dat dit „n effektiewe behandelings metode is. Die doel van hierdie studie is om vas te stel of „n fisioterapie groepsoefenprogram „n effektiewe behandelingsvorm is om die grofmotoriese vaardighede in ses tot tienjarige primêre skool kinders, met „n diagnose van DCD, verbeter. Metodes: Nege-en-dertig kinders was geassesseer met die “Movement Assessment Battery for Children” (M-ABC) en die “Perceived Efficacy and Goal Setting” (PEGS) vraelys deur „n geblinde navorsingsassistent. Hulle is in twee groepe nl kontrole groep wat nie intervensie gekry het nie (N=19) en „n eksperimentele groep (N=20)verdeel deur eenvoudige ewekansige toewysing. Die eksperimentele groep was verder onderverdeel in groepe van vier tot ses om groepsoefeningsessies by te woon drie keer „n week vir 30 tot 45 minute. Die doel van die groepsoefeninge was om die volgende areas te verbeter: handvaardigheid, balvaardigheid en balans deur die inkorporasie van balansaktiwiteite, spierversterkingsoefeninge, koördinasie sowel as taak spesifieke aktiwiteite. Die deelnemers was weer geassesseer met die Movement-ABC en die PEGS na die agt weke lange intervensie program. Resultate: Daar was 'n beduidende toename (p=.028) in die algehele telling deur die eksperimentele groep op die M-ABC na die agt weke deelname. Handvaardigheid het beduidend verbeter (p=.035). Daar was „n tendens vir balvaardighede om te verbeter (p=0.88), maar geen verbetering was aangedui vir balans na die ingryping nie. Die PEGS resultate was moeilik om te interpreteer aangesien die deelnemers hulself as baie vaardig gesien het ten spyte van hulle vermoëns. Gevolgtrekking: Die resultate van hierdie studie ondersteun die hipotese dat 'n doelgerigte groepsoefeningsprogram wel die grofmotoriese vaardighede van kinders met „n diagnose van DCD verbeter. Fisioterapeute kan 'n groepsofeningsprogram met vertroue implementeer waar 'n tekort aan menslike hulpbronne een tot een terapie beperk.

Children with developmental coordination disorder (DCD) find academic and performing age-appropriate perceptual-motor skills more difficult than their peers. According to research, children classified as learning disabled often show signs of one or more syndromes of developmental disorders rather than an isolated, discrete disability. The more common learning disorders include disabilities related to verbal communication development, reading disorders, gross and fine motor dysfunction and motor hyperactivity. Attention disorders, including or excluding hyperactivity, are not considered learning disabilities in themselves. However, because attention problems can gravely interfere with school performance, they are often associated with problems concerning academic skills Literature further reveals that boys are more inclined to motor problems, learning disabilities and ADHD, compared to girls. With regards to racial diversity, limited information is available, even though some literature implies that certain racial diversities differ to some extent regarding motor problems (DCD). The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between DCD, learning disabilities and ADHD of children (N = 99) in the age group 6 to 7 years in Potchefstroom in the NW province. A second purpose was to examine the differences between gender and certain racial groups in the age group 6 to 7years in Potchefstroom with regards to to DCD, learning disabilities and ADHD. Two grade one classes were randomly selected from three selected schools in the Potchefstroom district proportionally representing the different racial groups [white (n = 37), black (n = 50), Coloured (n = 12)]. In this group, 48 boys and 53 girls were evaluated with the Movement ABC (MABC) (Henderson & Sugden, 1992), the Aptitude test for school beginners (ASB) (Swart et a/., 1994), the Modified Conner's abbreviated teacher and the Taylor Hyperactivity checklist (Lowenberg & Lucas, 1999). The Statistics for Windows computer package was used for analyzing the data. The group of children without DCD showed a statistically significant higher total ASB scores than the DCD group (p ≤ 0.00). A multiple regression analysis showed a statistically significant interaction between DCD, learning disabilities and ADHD which varied between 22% and 36%. Analysis of differences in the ASB of boys and girls with and without DCD showed no significant interactions, although racial interactions (p < 0.001) were found with the DCD group (p < 0.025). Boys with DCD did not perform as well as the girls in the coordination subtest, and their ADHD totals indicate more symptoms than those of the girls. Black children's numerical skills, verbal communication and the ASB total appeared to be considerably lower than the values of the white children. Overall, the conclusion can be made that DCD has an effect on 6 to 7-year old children's learning abilities and to a lesser extent on their ADHD status. / Thesis (M.A. (Human Movement Science))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2007.

Diploma thesis "Evaluation of developmental dyspraxia and effects of its therapy in children" summarizes the knowledge of developmental dyspraxia or developmental coordination disorder (DCD) in the theoretical part. The practical part deals with the usage of new diagnostic method for identification of motor difficulties in children, Movement Assessment Battery for Children, second edition. The presence of motor difficulties in some children with ADHD and some children with neurofibromatosis type 1 was confirmed. The significant difference between motor skills in gymnasts and in children attending to all-round sport activities was not detected. No significant correlation between BMI and the level of motor skills in children was found. The evaluation of the effect of therapy confirmed that intervention is useful for children with developmental dyspraxia. The best improvement was found in activities which were specifically trained. Powered by TCPDF (www.tcpdf.org)

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is an umbrella term for disorders involving deficits in social interaction, stereotyped behaviours and communication dificulties. A growing area of research has recently focused on motor deficits in ASD, which have been noted in clinical observations and diagnostic criteria since autism was first described. However, motor deficits have traditionally carried little weight in the diagnostic procedure. Until recent changes to diagnostic criteria (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual 5th edition: DSM-5), a comorbid diagnosis of Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD: a neurodevelopmental disorder affecting motor development) was not possible for those with ASD and motor deficits. This exclusion criterion prompted an investigation of the nature of motor deficits in ASD, questioning whether they are characteristically different from motor deficits in DCD. Previous literature suggested a possible double dissociation in the use of vision and proprioception to guide movement and perception in ASD and DCD, with a reliance on proprioception in ASD, and an over-reliance on vision in DCD. Motor deficits were first investigated by looking at high-level motor skills, and then more basic sensory processing associated with movement to investigate this possible dissociation. There was no significant difference between ASD and DCD on a standardised motor battery (Movement Assessment Battery for Children 2nd edition: MABC-2), with 70% of children with ASD showing motor difficulties within the clinical range on tasks such as timed manual dexterity tasks and balance. Similarly, children with ASD and poor motor skills were indistinguishable from children with DCD on a number of basic motor tasks manipulating visual and proprioceptive cues. These tests included spatial location matching, reaching, goal-directed movements towards proprioceptively-defined targets, and the rubber hand illusion. Children with poor motor skills with a diagnosis of either ASD or DCD seemed to either rely more heavily on visual cues, or behaved in a similar way to typically developing (TD) children. In the spatial location matching task, children with ASD and spared motor skills showed a tendency to give more weight to proprioceptive cues, however too few children with ASD and spared motor skills took part in other tasks to fully investigate cue weighting in this subgroup. Mirroring the overlap in social and motor skills in the clinical groups, a study of the relationship between perceived social and motor ability in a large sample of TD children highlighted the related nature of these developmental domains in typical development. It is concluded that motor deficits in ASD are not ASD-specific but are instead indicative of an additional diagnosis of DCD. This is supported by the recent change to diagnostic criteria.

Les troubles spécifiques du développement praxique (ou gestuel) sont diagnostiqués comme Dyspraxie ou Trouble de l’Acquisition de la Coordination (TAC). Leur compréhension se heurte à de nombreuses impasses, et dans la définition des concepts de praxies et de coordination motrice et dans l’analyse théorique des déficits qu’ils recouvrent. En l’absence de théorie spécifique à l’enfant, les connaissances concernant le développement atypique des praxies se sont élaborées sur une transposition des modèles « adulte » mais sans en appréhender la pertinence. L’objectif principal ici est de dégager les arguments qui étayeraient l’hypothèse d’un trouble spécifique du développement praxique. Le parti est pris de proposer un examen fondé sur les théories du geste chez l’adulte, et qui cible les différents niveaux cognitifs engagés dans son développement: fonctions perceptives (visuelles, spatiales), exécutives (planification, flexibilité, inhibition) et compréhension orale. Les performances d’enfants diagnostiqués dyspraxiques ou TAC et au développement typique sont comparées dans deux études, de groupes puis de cas multiples. Nos résultats montrent des troubles divers « dans » la production du geste, inconstants dans les profils individuels, et associés avec des déficits non spécifiquement gestuels (perceptifs, exécutifs ou de compréhension). Face à cette hétérogénéité, la thèse propose de déconstruire la conception des troubles spécifiques du développement praxique, au profit d’une analyse qui ne confonde pas un trouble « du » geste avec tout déficit se manifestant « dans » le geste. / Specific deficit in praxic (or gestural) development are diagnosed as Dyspraxia or Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD). Understanding them proves problematic, both when defining the concepts of praxis/motor coordination and when providing a theoretical analysis of the deficits they cover. In the absence of theory specifically related to children, knowledge about atypical development of praxis is gleaned by applying « adult » models, without really understanding whether this is appropriate. The aim of this thesis is to explore the arguments underlying the hypothesis of a specific deficit in praxis development. Tasks were selected based on adult cognitive models of praxis processing in order to enable a comprehensive and theoretically analysis of gestures. We also examined different cognitive functions involved in the praxis development: perception (both visual and spatial), executive functions (planning, flexibility, inhibition) and oral comprehension. The performance of children diagnosed as dyspraxic or DCD is compared to those considered to show typical development in two studies: on groups and multiple case studies. Our results show various difficulties in producing gestures, mostly inconstant in case studies, and related to deficits that are not specifically gestural. Given the heterogeneity of the disorders that we found, this thesis is aimed at deconstructing the concept of specific deficit in praxis development in favour of an analysis that does not confuse gestural problems with other deficits made apparent through gesture.

O objetivo deste estudo foi analisar a aptidão física de crianças com Transtorno do Desenvolvimento da Coordenação (TDC) nos diferentes graus de comprometimento; moderado (TDCm) e severo (TDCs), e um grupo sem TDC (sTDC). Participaram deste estudo 63 crianças entre 6-10 anos de idade da cidade de Manaus/Brasil. Três grupos foram formados e distribuídos assim: 21 crianças com TDCm, 21 com TDCs segundo os critérios diagnóstico do DMS-IV e 21 crianças sTDC. Os componentes da aptidão física, composição corporal, força e resistência muscular, flexibilidade e resistência cardiorrespiratória foram medidos com a bateria Fitnessgram. Os resultados mostraram não haver diferença estatisticamente significativa entre os grupos em nenhum dos componentes avaliados. Quando avaliou-se os resultados por componente, de acordo com os critérios estabelecidos no Fitnessgram, foi observado que mais da metade das crianças, independentemente do grupo de classificação, atenderam às exigências motoras mínimas estabelecidas pelos critérios referenciados para a saúde, exceto no componente força e resistência muscular. Crianças com TDCm, TDCs e sTDC apresentaram níveis semelhantes de aptidão física relacionada à saúde. Dessa forma, ressaltamos que novas pesquisas sejam realizadas em especial no acompanhamento do desenvolvimento de habilidades motoras e da aptidão física observando as interações entre essas variáveis ao longo do tempo / The aim of this study was to assess the physical fitness of children with Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) in different degrees of commitment, Moderate (DCDm ) and severe (DCDs), and a group without DCD (sDCD). The study included 63 children aged 6-10 years old in the city of Manaus / Brazil. Three groups were formed and distributed as follows: 21 children with DCDm, 21 with TDCs according to the diagnostic criteria of the DMS - IV and 21 children sDCD. The components of physical fitness, body composition, muscular strength and endurance, flexibility, and cardiorespiratory endurance were measured with the battery Fitnessgram. The results showed no statistically significant difference between the groups in any of the evaluated components. When we evaluated the results by component, according to the criteria of Fitnessgram, was observed that more than half of all children, regardless of classification group, met the requirements established by the minimum motor criteria referenced to health except the force component and muscular endurance. Children with DCDm, TDCs and sDCD showed similar levels of physical fitness and health. Thus, we emphasize that further research be conducted in particular in monitoring the development of motor skills and physical fitness by observing the interaction between these variables over time

O Transtorno Desenvolvimento da Coordenação (TDC) é um dos transtornos do neurodesenvolvimento mais prevalentes na infância, com impactos negativos no repertório motor, qualidade de vida e saúde geral das crianças. O diagnóstico dessa condição é mundialmente reconhecido pelos critérios clínicos estabelecidos pelo Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders - Fifty Edition (DSM-5), cuja versão corrente recomenda a avaliação da influência ambiental, tal como das oportunidades para aprendizagem e uso das habilidades motoras, para o diagnóstico diferencial. Além disso, o uso de instrumentos específicos de apoio diagnóstico, tanto para triagem quanto para avaliação confirmatória, é recomendado. No entanto, a influência das oportunidades de prática motora sobre os parâmetros estabelecidos para identificação deste transtorno ainda não foi explorada. Diante deste cenário, este estudo propôs investigar a influência de diferentes quantidades de prática motora na identificação de crianças com TDC. Para isso, foram recrutadas 120 crianças, com idades entre sete e 10 anos de ambos os sexos, com duas condições de desempenho motor: indicativo de TDC (ITDC - n=60) e sem indicativo de TDC (sTDC - n=60). Foram formados oito grupos, de acordo com as quantidades de prática motora oferecidas: duas sessões - ITDC2 (n=16) e sTDC2 (n=14); quatro sessões - ITDC4 (n=14) e sTDC4 (n=16); seis sessões - ITDC6 (n=16) e sTDC6 (n=14); grupos controle - ITDC0 (n=14) e sTDC0 (n=14). Para a avaliação do desempenho motor foram utilizados os instrumentos MovementBattery for Children - Second Edition (MABC-2), o Developmental Coordination Disorder Questionnaire - Brasil (DCDQ-B) e o Motor Coordination Traffic Light Questionnaire (MC-TLQ). Esses instrumentos contemplam informações que apoiam a identificação dos sintomas clínicos descritos nos critérios do DSM-5 para identificação do TDC. Os resultados referentes ao percentil total da MABC-2 indicaram que nenhum dos grupos de crianças com ITDC se aproximou do desempenho motor das sTDC. O tamanho do efeito foi similar entre a maioria dos grupos (p>=0,05), exceto entre ITDC2 e sTDC2 (p<=0,05). Resultados semelhantes foram observados na análise do escore total do DCDQ-B, no qual a diferença significante foi observada apenas entre grupos para o ITDC2 e o sTDC2 (p<=0,00) e intra-grupo no sTDC2 (p=0,01). Ao final do estudo, a prevalência de crianças que se mantiveram na condição ITDC, foi de 2,64%, enquanto 3,66% apresentaram desempenhos motores que não condizem com os critérios para a presença do TDC. A proporção entre os sexos foi de dois meninos para uma menina. Em conclusão, as diferentes quantidades de práticas motoras parecem não ter influenciado na identificação do TDC, de forma a promover conhecimento quanto à quantidade específica para concluir o diagnóstico deste transtorno. Todavia, tais resultados sugerem que há um demasiado número de crianças sendo identificadas com TDC, sem realmente portarem este transtorno. Assim, reforça-se a necessidade de continuar as investigações quanto à forma de obter informações referentes à oportunidade e prática de habilidades motoras e reforça-se ainda a necessidade de repensar os procedimentos de identificação do TDC, da padronização e normatização de instrumentos, para que estes atendam, de forma mais precisa, aos critérios diagnósticos do TDC / The Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) is one of the most prevalent neurodevelopmental disorders in childhood, having negative impacts on the motor repertoire, quality of life, and general health of children. The diagnosis of this condition is globally recognized by the clinical criteria established by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders - Fifth Edition (DSM-5), whose current version recommends the evaluation of the environmental influence, the opportunities for learning, and the use of motor skills, for differential diagnosis. In addition, the use of specific instruments of diagnostic support for both screening and confirmatory evaluation is recommended. However, the influence of motor practice opportunities on the parameters established for the identification of this disorder has not been explored yet. Given this situation, this study intended to investigate the influence of different amounts of motor practice on the identification of children with DCD. Thus, 120 children aged between seven and 10 of both sexes were recruited with two motor performance conditions: indicative of DCD (DCDI - n = 60) and without DCD indicative of (wDCD - n = 60). Eight groups were formed according to the amounts of motor practice offered: two sessions - DCDI2 (n = 16) and wDCD2 (n = 14); four sessions - DCDI4 (n = 14) and wDCD4 (n = 16); six sessions - DCDI6 (n = 16) and wDCD6 (n = 14); control groups - DCDI0 (n = 14) and wDCD0 (n = 14). In order to evaluate motor performance, the following instruments were used: The Movement Battery for Children - Second Edition (MABC-2), the Developmental Coordination Disorder Questionnaire - Brazil (DCDQ-B), and the Motor Coordination Traffic Light Questionnaire (MC-TLQ). These instruments include information that supports the identification of the clinical symptoms described in the DSM-5 criteria for identification of DCD. The results for the total percentile of MABC-2 indicated that none of the groups of children with DCDI approached the motor performance of the wDCD ones. The effect size was similar between most groups (p>=0.05), except between DCDI2 and wDCD2 (p<=0.05). Similar results were observed in the analysis of the total DCDQ-B score, in which the significant difference was only observed between groups for the DCDI2 and the wDCD2 (p<=0.00) and intragroup in the wDCD2 (p=0.01). At the end of the study, the prevalence of children who remained in the DCDI condition was 2.64%, while 3.66% presented motor performances that did not meet the criteria for the presence of DCD. The ratio between the sexes was two boys for a girl. In conclusion, the different amounts of motor practice do not seem to have influenced the identification of DCD in a way that promotes knowledge about the specific amount to conclude the diagnosis of this disorder. However, such results suggest that too many children are being identified with DCD without actually having this disorder. Thus, the need to continue the investigations into how to obtain information regarding the opportunity and practice of motor skills is reinforced as well as the need to rethink the procedures for identification of DCD, and the standardization of instruments so that these meet the diagnostic criteria of DCD more precisely