A review of five tests to identify motor coordination difficulties in young adults.
BOT-2 is the best current test for adult DCD, but you still need to ask about real-life slips.
01Research in Context
What this study did
Coleman et al. (2015) read every paper on five motor tests for young adults.
They asked: which test best spots Developmental Coordination Disorder?
The team compared the BOT-2, M-ABC, PDMS and two others in a narrative review.
What they found
BOT-2 came out on top for Criterion A — it shows who moves poorly.
No test fully caught Criterion B — how clumsy days feel at college or work.
Bottom line: we can spot the problem, but we still miss the life impact.
How this fits with other research
Tal-Saban et al. (2012) measured real-life slips in the same age group.
They found worse handwriting, slower chores and sadder moods.
BOT-2 scores link to these daily fails, yet the test does not ask about them.
Smits-Engelsman et al. (2018) later showed big gains after motor training.
Their meta-analysis says good tools must track change; Beth’s pick needs a daily-life add-on to do that.
Why it matters
Use BOT-2 first — it is the strongest yardstick we have.
Then add a quick checklist about handwriting, driving or mood.
This one-two punch gives both diagnosis and a baseline for your skill-building program.
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02At a glance
03Original abstract
Difficulties with low motor competence in childhood and adolescence, such as that seen in Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD), often persist into adulthood. Identification of DCD at all ages is particularly challenging and problematic because of the diversity of motor symptoms. Many tests of motor proficiency and impairment have been developed for children up to 12 years of age. Whilst identification of DCD is important during childhood, it is of equal importance to identify and monitor the impact of this impairment as an individual grows and develops. Currently there is no test specifically designed to support diagnosis and monitor change in the age range 16-30 years. In this article we review five tests that have been used to assess motor competence among young adults (Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency-2, McCarron Assessment of Neuromuscular Development, Movement Assessment Battery for Children-2, Tufts Assessment of Motor Performance and the Zurich Neuromotor Assessment). Key issues relevant to testing motor skills in older populations, such as the inclusion of age appropriate skills, are explored. While the BOT-2 provided the most evidence for valid and reliable measurement of Criterion A of the diagnostic criteria for DCD among this age group, no test adequately evaluated Criterion B. Further evaluation of motor skill assessment among the young adult population is needed.
Research in developmental disabilities, 2015 · doi:10.1016/j.ridd.2015.05.009