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The Developmental Coordination Disorder Questionnaire (DCDQ) is a parent-completed measure designed to identify subtle motor problems in children of 8 to 14.6 years of age. The purpose of this study was to extend the lower age range to children aged 5 to 7 years, revise items to ensure clarity, develop new scoring, and evaluate validity of the revised questionnaire. Additional items with improved wording were generated by an expert panel. Analyses of internal consistency, factor loading, and qualitative/quantitative feedback from researchers, clinicians, and parents were used to select 15 items with the strongest psychometric properties. Internal consistency was high (alpha = 0.94). The expanded questionnaire was completed by the parents of 287 children, aged 5-15 years, who were typically developing. Logistic regression modeling was used to generate separate cutoff scores for three age groups (overall sensitivity = 85%, specificity = 71%). The revised DCDQ was then compared to other standardized measures in a sample of 232 children referred for therapy services. Differences in scores between children with and without DCD (p less than 0.001) provide evidence of construct validity. Correlations between DCDQ scores and Movement Assessment Battery for Children (r = 0.55) and Test of Visual-Motor Integration (r = 0.42) scores support concurrent validity. The results provide evidence that the revised DCDQ is a valid clinical screening tool for DCD. (Contains 7 tables.)

In this article, the authors explore the breadth and depth of published research linking dietary vitamins and minerals (micronutrients) to mood. Since the 1920s, there have been many studies on individual vitamins (especially B vitamins and Vitamins C, D, and E), minerals (calcium, chromium, iron, magnesium, zinc, and selenium), and vitamin-like compounds (choline). Recent investigations with multi-ingredient formulas are especially promising. However, without a reasonable conceptual framework for understanding mechanisms by which micronutrients might influence mood, the published literature is too readily dismissed. Consequently, 4 explanatory models are presented, suggesting that mood symptoms may be expressions of inborn errors of metabolism, manifestations of deficient methylation reactions, alterations of gene expression by nutrient deficiency, and/or long-latency deficiency diseases. These models provide possible explanations for why micronutrient supplementation could ameliorate some mental symptoms.

Objective: To determine whether the presence of coexisting disorders affects memory, visual-motor skills, and daily functioning in children with ADHD. Method: Eighty-four boys and 18 girls (8 to 16 years old) participate in this study. Twenty children meet criteria for ADHD alone, 42 children for ADHD plus one other disorder, and 40 children for ADHD plus at least two other disorders (reading disability, developmental coordination disorder, oppositional defiant disorder, conduct disorder, anxiety, and depression). Children are assessed on memory and visual-motor skills. Parents complete measures of daily functioning. Results: No significant group differences emerge for age, socioeconomic status, or IQ. Poorer performance on tests of memory and visual-motor skills, more prevalent behavioral problems, and more impairment in everyday functioning are associated with a higher number of coexisting disorders in children with ADHD. Conclusion: The presence of coexisting disorders has a significant influence on cognition and behavior of children with ADHD. (Contains 1 table and 1 note.)

Parent-reported information on 159 children with learning or attention problems was obtained using the Parent Ratings of Everyday Cognitive and Academic Abilities (PRECAA) and compared to information from standardized psychometric assessments. The PRECAA was sensitive to group differences among children with reading disabilities, children with attention deficits, and combined disabilities. (Contains references.) (Author/CR)

This article criticizes the term "comorbidity" used to describe the overlap of developmental syndromes or disorders. Data from 179 school-age children are evaluated for criteria of seven disorders. Since fully 50 percent of the sample met the criteria for at least two diagnoses, the premise that these disorders are discrete categories on which the comorbidity concept rests is discredited. (Contains references.) (DB)

The vocabulary and block design short forms of the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Third Edition were administered to 63 children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), 69 children with reading difficulties (RD), and 68 children with comorbid ADHD and RD. No significant differences were found. (Contains references.) (Author/CR)

In this article, the authors explore the breadth and depth of published research linking dietary vitamins and minerals (micronutrients) to mood. Since the 1920s, there have been many studies on individual vitamins (especially B vitamins and Vitamins C, D, and E), minerals (calcium, chromium, iron, magnesium, zinc, and selenium), and vitamin-like compounds (choline). Recent investigations with multi-ingredient formulas are especially promising. However, without a reasonable conceptual framework for understanding mechanisms by which micronutrients might influence mood, the published literature is too readily dismissed. Consequently, 4 explanatory models are presented, suggesting that mood symptoms may be expressions of inborn errors of metabolism, manifestations of deficient methylation reactions, alterations of gene expression by nutrient deficiency, and/or long-latency deficiency diseases. These models provide possible explanations for why micronutrient supplementation could ameliorate some mental symptoms. Keywords: mood, mood disorders, micronutrients, nutrition

Abstract Background Theoretically, consumption of complex, multinutrient formulations of vitamins and minerals should be safe, as most preparations contain primarily the nutrients that have been in the human diet for millennia, and at safe levels as defined by the Dietary Reference Intakes. However, the safety profile of commercial formulae may differ from foods because of the amounts and combinations of nutrients they contain. As these complex formulae are being studied and used clinically with increasing frequency, there is a need for direct evaluation of safety and tolerability. Methods All known safety and tolerability data collected on one complex nutrient formula was compiled and evaluated. Results Data were assembled from all the known published and unpublished studies for the complex formula with the largest amount of published research in mental health. Biological safety data from 144 children and adults were available from six sources: there were no occurrences of clinically meaningful negative outcomes/effects or abnormal blood tests that could be attributed to toxicity. Adverse event (AE) information from 157 children and adults was available from six studies employing the current version of this formula, and only minor, transitory reports of headache and nausea emerged. Only one of the studies permitted a direct comparison between micronutrient treatment and medication: none of the 88 pediatric and adult participants had any clinically meaningful abnormal laboratory values, but tolerability data in the group treated with micronutrients revealed significantly fewer AEs and less weight gain. Conclusions This compilation of safety and tolerability data is reassuring with respect to the broad spectrum approach that employs complex nutrient formulae as a primary treatment.

Examines the reliability of the Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency-Long Form. Administration and scoring of the test; Inconsistency between therapists; Absence of difference in interrater reliability of test for children.

Aims: Test the psychometric properties and cut-off scores for the Canadian Little Developmental Coordination Disorder Questionnaire (Little DCDQ), which screens for coordination difficulties in children aged 3 to 4 years. Methods: Parents of children with typical development ( n = 108) and children at risk for motor problems ( n = 245) completed the questionnaire. A subgroup ( n = 119) of children was tested with the Movement Assessment Battery for Children-2 (MABC-2) and the Beery-Buktenica Developmental Test of visual-motor integration (VMI) to determine motor impairment (MI). Results: Test-retest reliability ( r = 0.956, p < .001) and internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha = 0.94) were high. Construct validity was supported by a factor analysis and significant difference in scores of children who were typically developing and were at risk. Concurrent validity was evaluated for the children who received standardized motor testing, with significant difference between children with and without MI. Discriminant function analysis showed that all 15 items were able to distinguish the two groups. The questionnaire correlated well with the MABC-2 and VMI. Validity as a screening tool was assessed using logistic regression modeling (X2(5) = 25.87, p < .001) and receiver operating curves, establishing optimal cut-off values with adequate sensitivity. Conclusions: The Little DCDQ is a reliable, valid instrument for early identification of children with motor difficulties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the neuropsychological outcomes at school age of children with very low birth weight (VLBW) free of sensorineural impairments. Subjects included 19 children with VLBW identified at age 3 as 'suspect' for developmental problems, 19 children with VLBW identified at age 3 as developing normally, and 30 children of normal birth weight (NBW). Results indicated that children in the VLBW 'suspect' group performed significantly more poorly on all of the neuropsychological measures compared to children of NBW. These findings suggest that VLBW children identified as 'suspect' for developmental problems because of impairments in cognitive skills at age 3 continued to show deficits at school age on intellectual and neuropsychological measures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To compare children with asthma to children with long-QT syndrome (LQTS) in terms of anxiety and medical fears., Method: Forty children (25 males/15 females) with asthma and their mothers participated, along with seven children with LQTS (four males/three females) and their mothers., Results: Children with asthma had significantly more medical fears, fear of danger/death, and fear of minor injury and small animals compared to children with LQTS. Children with LQTS tended to have more fear of failure and criticism, and tended to keep their feelings to themselves and minimize their real feelings of anxiety. Children with LQTS had significantly more internalizing problems, and their mothers had significantly higher anxiety., Conclusion: Fear and uncertainty can be overwhelming in LQTS. Children with LQTS do not seem to be able to share their feelings openly. Examining the psychosocial adjustment of affected children may assist professionals to help families to cope more effectively.