Developmental coordination disorder and executive function deficits: Implications for emotional, mental, and overall well-being.
Shahar Zaguri-Vittenberg, Naomi Weintraub, Miri Tal-Saban
PMID 41016236WHAT IT FOUND
Half of adults with Developmental Coordination Disorder also have executive function deficits.
Those with these co-occurring deficits reported significantly lower self-esteem, higher distress, and lower life satisfaction than those with motor difficulties alone.
Key findings
0149.1% of adults with Developmental Coordination Disorder had co-occurring executive function deficits, with deficits in 'cold' functions (planning, working memory) being more common than 'hot' functions (emotional control).
02Adults with both DCD and executive function deficits reported significantly worse emotional well-being (lower self-esteem and self-efficacy), mental well-being (higher distress), and overall well-being (lower life satisfaction) compared to adults with DCD alone.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTsWhat it means for OTsWhat it means for SLPs
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What it does not show
The study used a small convenience sample recruited via social media, which limits generalizability. The cross-sectional design means causality cannot be determined; it is unclear whether executive function deficits cause poor well-being or vice versa. Executive function was measured via self-report, which may introduce bias compared to performance-based tests. Participants with ADHD were excluded, so findings may not apply to the more common clinical presentation of DCD with comorbid ADHD.
Declared interests
None declared.
The easy way to misread this
Do not assume that all adults with DCD have executive function deficits or that these deficits are the sole cause of their low well-being. The study shows an association in a specific group excluding those with ADHD, and the cross-sectional design cannot prove that fixing executive function will improve well-being.
Summarised by AI from the full paper, without a clinician reviewing it. Check it against the source before it changes what you do. Read it on PubMed →