Strengthening School-Based Support Systems for Children and Youth With Developmental Coordination Disorder: A National Survey of Canadian Parents.

Child: care, health and development · 2026 · Survey · PT · OT
Erin S Klein, Nicole Pereira, Arman Gill, Jill G Zwicker

A national survey of 488 Canadian parents of children with DCD found only 17% had a school-based therapist and 75% paid for therapy out of pocket. Assume the school system is not providing adequate motor support and advocate for services.

Key findings

1

Only 17% (82/488) of children with DCD were followed by a school-based clinician, and only 29% (125/435) of schools offered therapy services at all.

2

75% (362/483) of parents were paying for therapy, and 46% (148/322) said limited funding was a barrier to ongoing intervention. Over half (56%, 91/163) had to take time off work for appointments, averaging 9.9 hours per month.

3

88% (383/435) of parents reported their child was tired at the end of the school day, and 81% (352/434) were concerned that movement difficulties would affect school success and future employment.

MethodologyResultsClinical Relevance

Single-blind randomized controlled trial. Sixty-four participants were randomized across two intervention arms and assessed at twelve weeks for the primary outcome…

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