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Attention-deficit hyperactivity and developmental coordination disorders: knowledge and practice among child and adolescent psychiatrists and paediatricians

Allt-yr-yn Campus, University of Wales, Newport NP20 5DA, email: Amanda.Kirby{at}newport.ac.uk

Gill Salmon, Trehafod Child and Family Clinic

Waunarlwydd Road, Cockett, Swansea

Lisa Edwards, Dyscovery Centre

Allt-yr-yn Campus, University of Wales, Newport

Declaration of interest

AIMS AND METHOD

Despite extensive evidence that attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and developmental coordination disorder commonly present as overlapping disorders, it is not clear whether clinicians routinely enquire about movement difficulties when assessing children with suspected ADHD. We describe a survey that examines knowledge and practice of child and adolescent psychiatrists (n=107) and paediatricians (n=51) in this area.

RESULTS

Results show that 67.3% of child and adolescent psychiatrists compared with 15.7% of paediatricians claimed to have poor or very poor knowledge of developmental coordination disorder, and 28% compared with 5.9% respectively reported that they never or only occasionally ask about motor difficulties.

CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS

Child and adolescent psychiatrists should consider routine screening for developmental coordination disorder when assessing for ADHD. Further training in assessment of developmental coordination disorder is recommended to facilitate this.