Validity of the motor observation questionnaire for teachers as a screening instrument for children at risk for developmental coordination disorder

This study investigates validity of the Motor Observation Questionnaire for Teachers (MOQ-T) in 182 children aged 5-10years, 91 children referred for motor problems to a rehabilitation center and 91 comparison children. Performance on the MOQ-T was compared to performance on the Movement Assessment Battery for Children (M-ABC) and the Developmental Coordination Disorder Questionnaire (DCD-Q). Significant correlations were obtained between the MOQ-T and the DCD-Q (r=-.63), and the MOQ-T and the M-ABC (r=.57). The MOQ-T discriminated between children at risk for DCD and comparison children. Sensitivity of the MOQ-T was 80.5%, specificity 62% with the M-ABC as 'gold standard'. These results support the validity of the MOQ-T as a screening instrument for identification of children at risk for DCD.