Effectiveness of Cognitive Orientation to daily Occupational Performance for autistic children with developmental coordination disorder

Abstract

AbstractAimTo determine if the Cognitive Orientation to daily Occupational Performance (CO‐OP) intervention is effective in improving motor skills of autistic children with developmental coordination disorder (DCD), and whether motor gains are maintained 3 months after therapy.MethodIn this quasi‐experimental study, we recruited 27 autistic children (8–12 years) with DCD without intellectual disability. The treatment group received CO‐OP intervention once weekly for 10 weeks, focusing on three child‐chosen motor goals. The waitlist group received CO‐OP 3 months later. Outcome measures included the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (child ratings of motor performance and satisfaction), Performance Quality Rating Scale (therapist‐observed movement quality), and the Bruninks‐Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency, Second Edition (motor ability).ResultsNon‐parametric analyses showed significant improvements (p < 0.013) in all outcomes. Follow‐up analysis revealed significant improvements in performance (p < 0.001, W = 0.69), satisfaction (p < 0.001, W = 0.72), and movement quality (p < 0.001, W = 0.62). Despite slight declines at follow‐up, overall improvements from pretest remained evident.InterpretationThe CO‐OP intervention effectively improved motor skills of autistic children.