Comparing probable case identification of developmental coordination disorder using the short form of the Bruininks‐Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency and the Movement ABC

Aim Despite its widespread current use in research and its potential for future application, the validity of the short form of the Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency (BOTMP-SF) when administered by trained lay assessors is not known. This paper reports the results of case identification using the Movement Assessment Battery for Children (M-ABC) in a group of children scoring below the sixth percentile on the BOTMP-SF. Methods The BOTMP-SF was administered by trained research assistants to 2058 children. In total, 24 of 128 children aged 10 (n = 10), 11 (n = 10) or 12 (n = 4) scoring below the sixth percentile were randomly selected for further assessment by a paediatric occupational therapist using the M-ABC and the Kaufman Brief Intelligence Test. Results Twenty-one of 24 children positive for motor co-ordination problems on the BOTMP-SF scored below the 15th percentile of the M-ABC, a positive predictive value (PPV) of 0.88 [95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.69 to 0.96]. Fifteen of these children were below the fifth percentile (PPV = 0.63; 95% CI = 0.43 to 0.79). Conclusions The BOTMP-SF seems to be a reasonable alternative to case identification when clinical assessment with the M-ABC is not feasible. Further research is needed to examine the sensitivity and specificity of the short form when used for this purpose.