ABSTRACT
The motor difficulties of children with developmental coordination disorder (DCD) have been well described in the literature. However, few studies have investigated the development of motor skill in this group over time. Development from the neonatal period to early childhood has been followed in some ‘at risk’ groups, including those born prematurely. In those studies that have assessed motor skills and identified children with DCD, we have some indication of the general developmental course of the condition in early childhood. Other studies that have followed the course of DCD across early to late childhood have demonstrated the persistence of the condition in many cases. These longitudinal investigations include a general assessment of motor performance at specific time points and a detailed examination of the tasks assessed provides some further information on progression of the disorder. Finally, a further group of studies examining DCD beyond childhood demonstrates the persistence of motor difficulties into adolescence and early adulthood. In this chapter we examine the results from these different types of studies to consider what is known about the presentation and progression of DCD through the lifespan.
