Abstract
Introduction
Most of the population can carry out daily activities with competence. The profile of some children who have difficulty doing typical activities of childhood is well documented in the literature. Children with developmental coordination disorder (DCD) demonstrate a marked effort in the development of motor skills, with possible repercussions on mental health.
Objective
To investigate the perceptions of mothers and their children about the impacts caused by DCD on everyday life; to explore the relations between the occupations, skills, and the environment; to investigate potential influences of the disorder on children’s self-concept and self-efficacy.
Method
This is an exploratory cross-sectional study with a qualitative approach involving three mothers and three children. Data were analyzed using content analysis.
Results
Three categories emerged: play and doing opportunities and impacts in school activities. Mothers perceived difficulties on occupational performance of their children, especially in school activities. Social context's characteristics are related to the offer of play opportunities for the children. The children understand that they have some difficulties, and one child identifies peer problems.
Conclusion
This study can highlight the importance of the recognition of DCD and its co-occurrence with learning disability as a persistent problem that affects children’s and their families’ everyday life, and the role of environmental factors on the opportunities children have to play.
Keywords:
Motor Skill Disorders; Activities of Daily Living; Child; Mothers; Perception; Social Environment
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