Motor coordination and attention problems in school-aged children.

Abstract

Objectives: To investigate the prevalence of motor coordination difficulties in school-aged children with 7 and 8 years old in municipal schools of João Pessoa/PB; to check whether there is an association between the motor difficulties with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and socioeconomic status. Method: 535 children were evaluated with the Developmental Coordination Disorder Questionnaire (DCDQ-Brazil), the Questionnaire Economic Classification Brazil and the Swanson, Nolan and Pelham Scale IV - SNAP-IV. Descriptive statistics characterized the sample and chi-square test assessed the association between variables. Results: According to parents’ responses to DCDQ-Brazil, 253 children (47.2%) have difficulties in motor coordination. It was observed association of the motor difficulties with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and socioeconomic status. Conclusions: The results show high prevalence of motor coordination problems in children aged 7 and 8, and association of the difficulties of coordination with attention deficits and hyperactivity and socioeconomic status.