Developmental Coordination Disorder and Co-occurring Motor Difficulties in Children with Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder

Abstract

Children diagnosed with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) commonly experience challenges in both fine and gross motor skills. Nevertheless, the specific domains of dysfunction in these children have yet to be established through comprehensive neurological assessments. This study aims to determine the prevalence of Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) in children with ADHD and identify the specific domains of dysfunction. Participants were 32 children diagnosed with ADHD aged between 5 and 12 years (M = 8.5; 75% male) and 36 typically developing children in the same age range (M = 8.1; 63.9% male). DCD and neurological examination were performed using DCD-Q and Touwen examination, respectively. Children diagnosed with ADHD were more prone to having DCD compared to their peers (p< 0.05). According to Touwen's examination, children with ADHD had dysfunction in the domains of involuntary movements, associated movements, coordination-balance, fine manipulation, and sensory function. When a child is diagnosed with both ADHD and DCD, a personalized approach to evaluating and treating both conditions is necessary. A comprehensive assessment that includes neurological components and identifying dysfunctional domains can help determine the most suitable intervention program for children with ADHD. © 2025, Inonu University. All rights reserved.