Self-reported motor difficulties in adults with childhood developmental coordination disorder: a 25-year follow-up.

Abstract

To examine whether childhood developmental coordination disorder (DCD) predicted self-reported motor difficulties in adulthood, and whether these differ by sex. In this longitudinal follow-up study, 105 adults from a Swedish population-based cohort of infants treated at one neonatal intensive care unit (1986-1989) and assessed for DCD at 6.5 years completed an online survey in 2020, including the Adult Developmental Coordination Disorder Checklist. Childhood DCD significantly predicted self-reported motor difficulties in adulthood, both before (<i>p</i> = .007) and after adjustment (<i>p</i> = .033, R² = 0.236). Adults with childhood DCD reported more motor difficulties than those without (<i>p</i> = .015), particularly in gross motor function (<i>p</i> = .004). Women with childhood DCD reported greater gross motor (<i>p</i> = .013) and participation difficulties (<i>p</i> = .037), whereas men reported more non-motor difficulties (<i>p</i> = .012) compared with same-sex peers. Childhood DCD appears to have lasting, though often less pronounced, effects into adulthood. These findings highlight the importance of early identification, intervention, and continued awareness that difficulties may persist, and suggest considering sex-related patterns when supporting participation across the lifespan.