A systematic review of language and motor skills in children with developmental coordination disorder (DCD) and developmental language disorder (DLD)

Jelle Kisjes; A.L. van der Schaaf; Johannes Noordstar; Remo Mombarg; Ellen Gerrits; Frank Wijnen; Margreet Luinge

doi:10.1016/j.ridd.2025.104994

A systematic review of language and motor skills in children with developmental coordination disorder (DCD) and developmental language disorder (DLD)

Jelle Kisjes (First author), A.L. van der Schaaf (First author), Johannes Noordstar, Remo Mombarg, Ellen Gerrits, Frank Wijnen, Margreet Luinge

Utrecht University, Institute for Language Sciences
Child Development & Exercise Center, Wilhelmina Children's Hospital, UMC Utrecht
University of Groningen, Faculty of Behavioural and Social Sciences
Utrecht University, Institute for Language Sciences, Department of Languages, Literature and Communication
Research group Speech and Language Therapy: Participation through Communication - HU University of Applied Sciences, Utrecht
University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Department of Otorhinolaryngology

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Academic › peer-review

Abstract

Aim
To investigate: (a) language difficulties in children with developmental coordination disorder (DCD), and (b) motor difficulties in children with developmental language disorder (DLD).
Method
In this systematic review, PubMed, CINAHL, PsycINFO, and Embase were searched to identify peer-reviewed studies. Two researchers independently identified, screened and evaluated the methodological quality of the included studies following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA). For objective (a), we combined the terms: “developmental coordination disorder” AND “language skills” AND “children”. For objective (b) we combined the terms: “developmental language disorder” AND “motor skills” AND “children”.
Results
Ten studies on language skills in children with DCD and 34 studies on motor skills in children with DLD are included, most with relatively good methodological quality. The results for language comprehension and production in children with DCD are contradictory, but there is evidence that children with DCD have communication and phonological problems. Evidence for general motor problems in children with DLD is consistent. Studies report problems in balance, locomotor, and fine motor skills in children with DLD. Evidence for aiming and catching skills is inconsistent.
Interpretation
The findings of this systematic review highlight the co-occurrence of language impairments in children with DCD and motor impairments in children with DLD. Healthcare professionals involved in the assessment and diagnosis of children with DCD or DLD should be attentive to this co-occurrence. In doing so, children with DCD and DLD can receive optimal interventions to minimize problems in their daily life.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	104994
Journal	Research in Developmental Disabilities
Volume	161
Early online date	1 Apr 2025
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ridd.2025.104994 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ridd.2025.104994
Publication status	E-pub ahead of print - 1 Apr 2025

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 03 Good Health and Well-being

Keywords

fine motor skills
language difficulties
locomotor skills
motor difficulties
phonological problems

Research Focus Areas Hanze University of Applied Sciences * (mandatory by Hanze)

Healthy Ageing

Research Focus Areas Research Centre or Centre of Expertise * (mandatory by Hanze)

Equality of opportunity and participation
Healthy lifestyle and living environment

Publinova themes

Other
Health
Education and Teaching
People and Society
Recreation, Exercise and Sports

Access to Document

Overlap of language and motor skills between children with DCD and DLD: a systematic review
van der Schaaf, A. L. (First author), Kisjes, J. (First author), Noordstar, J., Mombarg, R., Gerrits, E., Wijnen, F. & Luinge, M., 7 Jun 2024. 1 p.
Research output: Contribution to conference › Poster › Academic
Overlap of language and motor skills between children with DCD and DLD: a systematic review
van der Schaaf, A. L. (First author), Kisjes, J. (First author), Mombarg, R., Noordstar, J., Gerrits, E., Wijnen, F. & Luinge, M., 13 Jun 2024. 1 p.
Research output: Contribution to conference › Poster › Academic
Overlap of language and motor skills in children with DCD and DLD: a systematic review
van der Schaaf, A. L. (First author), Kisjes, J. (First author), Noordstar, J., Mombarg, R., Gerrits, E., Wijnen, F. & Luinge, M., 27 Sept 2024, (Unpublished). 1 p.
Research output: Contribution to conference › Poster › Academic

BEPTOS (Lunchbijeenkomst Pedagogische Academie)
Luinge, M. (Speaker), van der Schaaf, L. (Speaker) & Kisjes, J. (Speaker)
30 Oct 2023
Activity: Talk or presentation › Oral presentation

Cite this

Kisjes, J., van der Schaaf, A. L., Noordstar, J., Mombarg, R., Gerrits, E., Wijnen, F., & Luinge, M. (2025). A systematic review of language and motor skills in children with developmental coordination disorder (DCD) and developmental language disorder (DLD). Research in Developmental Disabilities, 161, 104994. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ridd.2025.104994, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ridd.2025.104994

@article{bb5e6144fc6f4688a90846a82ef64922,

title = "A systematic review of language and motor skills in children with developmental coordination disorder (DCD) and developmental language disorder (DLD)",

abstract = "Aim To investigate: (a) language difficulties in children with developmental coordination disorder (DCD), and (b) motor difficulties in children with developmental language disorder (DLD). Method In this systematic review, PubMed, CINAHL, PsycINFO, and Embase were searched to identify peer-reviewed studies. Two researchers independently identified, screened and evaluated the methodological quality of the included studies following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA). For objective (a), we combined the terms: “developmental coordination disorder” AND “language skills” AND “children”. For objective (b) we combined the terms: “developmental language disorder” AND “motor skills” AND “children”. Results Ten studies on language skills in children with DCD and 34 studies on motor skills in children with DLD are included, most with relatively good methodological quality. The results for language comprehension and production in children with DCD are contradictory, but there is evidence that children with DCD have communication and phonological problems. Evidence for general motor problems in children with DLD is consistent. Studies report problems in balance, locomotor, and fine motor skills in children with DLD. Evidence for aiming and catching skills is inconsistent. Interpretation The findings of this systematic review highlight the co-occurrence of language impairments in children with DCD and motor impairments in children with DLD. Healthcare professionals involved in the assessment and diagnosis of children with DCD or DLD should be attentive to this co-occurrence. In doing so, children with DCD and DLD can receive optimal interventions to minimize problems in their daily life.",

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Kisjes, J , van der Schaaf, AL, Noordstar, J, Mombarg, R, Gerrits, E, Wijnen, F & Luinge, M 2025, 'A systematic review of language and motor skills in children with developmental coordination disorder (DCD) and developmental language disorder (DLD)', Research in Developmental Disabilities, vol. 161, pp. 104994. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ridd.2025.104994, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ridd.2025.104994

A systematic review of language and motor skills in children with developmental coordination disorder (DCD) and developmental language disorder (DLD). / Kisjes, Jelle (First author); van der Schaaf, A.L. (First author); Noordstar, Johannes et al.
In: Research in Developmental Disabilities, Vol. 161, 01.04.2025, p. 104994.

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Academic › peer-review

TY - JOUR

T1 - A systematic review of language and motor skills in children with developmental coordination disorder (DCD) and developmental language disorder (DLD)

AU - Kisjes, Jelle

AU - van der Schaaf, A.L.

AU - Noordstar, Johannes

AU - Mombarg, Remo

AU - Gerrits, Ellen

AU - Wijnen, Frank

AU - Luinge, Margreet

PY - 2025/4/1

Y1 - 2025/4/1

N2 - Aim To investigate: (a) language difficulties in children with developmental coordination disorder (DCD), and (b) motor difficulties in children with developmental language disorder (DLD). Method In this systematic review, PubMed, CINAHL, PsycINFO, and Embase were searched to identify peer-reviewed studies. Two researchers independently identified, screened and evaluated the methodological quality of the included studies following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA). For objective (a), we combined the terms: “developmental coordination disorder” AND “language skills” AND “children”. For objective (b) we combined the terms: “developmental language disorder” AND “motor skills” AND “children”. Results Ten studies on language skills in children with DCD and 34 studies on motor skills in children with DLD are included, most with relatively good methodological quality. The results for language comprehension and production in children with DCD are contradictory, but there is evidence that children with DCD have communication and phonological problems. Evidence for general motor problems in children with DLD is consistent. Studies report problems in balance, locomotor, and fine motor skills in children with DLD. Evidence for aiming and catching skills is inconsistent. Interpretation The findings of this systematic review highlight the co-occurrence of language impairments in children with DCD and motor impairments in children with DLD. Healthcare professionals involved in the assessment and diagnosis of children with DCD or DLD should be attentive to this co-occurrence. In doing so, children with DCD and DLD can receive optimal interventions to minimize problems in their daily life.

AB - Aim To investigate: (a) language difficulties in children with developmental coordination disorder (DCD), and (b) motor difficulties in children with developmental language disorder (DLD). Method In this systematic review, PubMed, CINAHL, PsycINFO, and Embase were searched to identify peer-reviewed studies. Two researchers independently identified, screened and evaluated the methodological quality of the included studies following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA). For objective (a), we combined the terms: “developmental coordination disorder” AND “language skills” AND “children”. For objective (b) we combined the terms: “developmental language disorder” AND “motor skills” AND “children”. Results Ten studies on language skills in children with DCD and 34 studies on motor skills in children with DLD are included, most with relatively good methodological quality. The results for language comprehension and production in children with DCD are contradictory, but there is evidence that children with DCD have communication and phonological problems. Evidence for general motor problems in children with DLD is consistent. Studies report problems in balance, locomotor, and fine motor skills in children with DLD. Evidence for aiming and catching skills is inconsistent. Interpretation The findings of this systematic review highlight the co-occurrence of language impairments in children with DCD and motor impairments in children with DLD. Healthcare professionals involved in the assessment and diagnosis of children with DCD or DLD should be attentive to this co-occurrence. In doing so, children with DCD and DLD can receive optimal interventions to minimize problems in their daily life.

KW - fijne motoriek

KW - fonologische problemen

KW - motorische problemen

KW - motorische vaardigheden

KW - taalproblemen

KW - fine motor skills

KW - language difficulties

KW - locomotor skills

KW - motor difficulties

KW - phonological problems

U2 - 10.1016/j.ridd.2025.104994

DO - 10.1016/j.ridd.2025.104994

M3 - Article

C2 - 40174370

SN - 0891-4222

VL - 161

SP - 104994

JO - Research in Developmental Disabilities

JF - Research in Developmental Disabilities

ER -

Kisjes J , van der Schaaf AL, Noordstar J, Mombarg R, Gerrits E, Wijnen F et al. A systematic review of language and motor skills in children with developmental coordination disorder (DCD) and developmental language disorder (DLD). Research in Developmental Disabilities. 2025 Apr 1;161:104994. Epub 2025 Apr 1. doi: 10.1016/j.ridd.2025.104994, 10.1016/j.ridd.2025.104994

A systematic review of language and motor skills in children with developmental coordination disorder (DCD) and developmental language disorder (DLD)

Abstract

UN SDGs

Keywords

Research Focus Areas Hanze University of Applied Sciences * (mandatory by Hanze)

Research Focus Areas Research Centre or Centre of Expertise * (mandatory by Hanze)

Publinova themes

Access to Document

Fingerprint

Research output

Overlap of language and motor skills between children with DCD and DLD: a systematic review

Overlap of language and motor skills between children with DCD and DLD: a systematic review

Overlap of language and motor skills in children with DCD and DLD: a systematic review

Activities

BEPTOS (Lunchbijeenkomst Pedagogische Academie)

Cite this