Developmental coordination disorder, age, and play: A test of the divergence in activity-deficit with age hypothesis

The purpose of this study is to test whether the activity-deficit experienced by children with probable Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) increases with age. We use a sample of children ages 9 to 14 (N = 581) to examine whether age influences the relationship between DCD and participation in free play and organized activities. Consistent with previous work (Bouffard et al., 1996), we found no evidence to support the hypothesis that children with DCD become more inactive compared to their peers as they age; however, we do discuss the limitations in our sample and how some differences in the level of organized and free play activity are evident among cohorts of different ages. Directions for future research in this area are also discussed.