An Evaluation of a Community Based Cycling Group for Children with DCD: a model for Health Care Professionals and Students

Abstract

In recent years there has been a shift towards participation-focused interventions for children with Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD). One skill in particular which facilitates participation is that of bike riding which is cited as the number one therapy goal for children with DCD. While this shift is welcomed by children and families, health care professionals have few established models of service delivery from which to draw. We have developed a community based cycling intervention for children with DCD which is delivered by an Occupational Therapist (OT) with the support of OT students. The aim of this preliminary study was to describe and evaluate this intervention in meeting the cycling goals of children with DCD and increasing self-efficacy and satisfaction with their performance.