INTERVENTIONS FOSTERING THE MENTAL HEALTH OF CHILDREN WITH DEVELOPMENTAL COORDINATION DISORDER: A SCOPING REVIEW
Children presenting developmental coordination disorder are more susceptible than their peers with typical development to have mental health issues. However, interventions tend to focus on their motor skills, neglecting their psychosocial needs. To better meet them, a scoping review was caried out to document the evidence-based interventions that foster their mental health. Four databases were consulted. To be included, articles should be published from 2010, in English or in French, involved participants aged between 5 and 18 with a diagnosis or a probable diagnosis of DCD and presented an intervention with measures or results related to mental health. Fifteen articles were selected and analysed. The interventions with positive effects on mental health comprised the CO-OP approach in group, motor skills programs, therapeutic horse riding, active video gaming and an online module for parents. Significant effects were noted about performance satisfaction, emotional, behavioral, social and cognitive functioning, as well as on diminution of symptoms of depression and sleep disturbance. Recommendations are discussed based on these results, along with the self-determination theory, the Every Moment Counts approach and protective factors.
