Cross-cultural validation of the Brazilian Little Developmental Coordination Disorder Questionnaire (LDCDQ-BR) for preschool children.
The LDCDQ-BR is a quick, reliable parent screener for motor delays in Brazilian preschoolers; flag scores ≤ 64.
01Research in Context
What this study did
Mammarella et al. (2022) translated the Little Developmental Coordination Disorder Questionnaire into Brazilian Portuguese. They asked parents of preschoolers to fill it out so they could check if the scores are reliable and valid.
The team set a cut-off score of 64 to flag possible motor delays. They wanted a quick parent screener that works in Brazil.
What they found
The Brazilian version, called LDCDQ-BR, showed good reliability and validity. A score of 64 or below caught kids who need a closer motor check.
Parents found the questions easy to understand. The tool worked well for 3- and 4-year-olds.
How this fits with other research
Cantell et al. (2019) tested the same questionnaire in Dutch. Both studies found positive results, giving confidence that the LDCDQ works in different languages.
Leung et al. (2014) already showed the MABC-2 motor test is valid in Brazil. Now the LDCDQ-BR gives Brazilian clinicians a second, quicker option to screen for DCD.
Hua et al. (2013) and Ellinoudis et al. (2011) also crossed cultures with the MABC-2 for preschoolers. Together these papers show that careful translation keeps motor screeners accurate.
Why it matters
If you work with Brazilian preschoolers, you now have a 5-minute parent form to spot possible motor delays. Use the 64 cut-off to decide who needs a full MABC-2 or therapy referral. No extra gear or long testing needed—just hand the LDCDQ-BR to parents and score it fast.
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02At a glance
03Original abstract
INTRODUCTION: Motor difficulties associated with Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) are frequently apparent before the accepted diagnostic age of 5. Tools to support identification of DCD markers would allow provision of early intervention to reduce negative sequelae. OBJECTIVE: Establish psychometric properties and define preliminary cut-off scores for the Brazilian Little Developmental Coordination Disorder Questionnaire - Brazil (LDCDQ-BR). METHODS AND PROCEDURES: Parents of 3- and 4-year-old children (n = 312; 154 girls) from Belo Horizonte/MG, Brazil, completed the LDCDQ-BR, the Brazil Economic Classification Criterion and a demographic questionnaire. One sub-set of children (n = 119) was assessed with the Movement Assessment Battery for Children-2nd Edition; another sub-set (n = 77) completed the LDCDQ-BR a second time. RESULTS: Rasch analysis indicated good item functioning with only one erratic item, suggesting unidimensionality. Item calibration reliability was excellent (0.97), children's measures reliability was low (0.72), but implying separation of 2.46 motor ability levels. Significant, low correlations were found between the LDCDQ-BR and MABC-2 (r = 0.30, p < 0.01). Test-retest reliability was 0.77 (total score) and 0.44-0.78 (individual items). ROC curve analysis revealed sensitivity of 68% at a cut-off score of 64. CONCLUSION: The LDCDQ-BR shows promising psychometric properties to support early identification of DCD.
Research in developmental disabilities, 2022 · doi:10.1016/j.ridd.2022.104297