Assessment of gait characteristics and orthotic management in children with Developmental Coordination Disorder: preliminary findings to inform multidisciplinary care.

Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterised by impaired motor co-ordination and awkward gait. Despite self-reported findings of pes planus and joint hypermobility in children with DCD, there is little objective evidence regarding the clinical management of the foot in children with DCD. The aims of this research were to report clinical findings of foot posture and lower limb hypermobility in children with DCD and to evaluate the impact of foot orthoses on spatio-temporal gait parameters.

Are spatiotemporal gait characteristics reliable outcome measures in children with developmental coordination disorder?

Purpose: To evaluate the reliability of spatiotemporal gait parameters used in the clinical evaluation of children with developmental coordination disorder (DCD).

Methods: Participants recruited were asked to ambulate across a 4.5-meter GAITRite walkway (CIR Systems, Inc, Havertown, Pennsylvania) at a self-selected walking speed.