Developmental Coordination Disorder and Joint Hypermobility Syndrome – overlapping disorders? Implications for research and clinical practice
Abstract
Background Joint Hypermobility Syndrome (JHS) and Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) are two childhood disorders usually identified separately. DCD is a heterogeneous condition with little known of the underlying aetiology of the disorder. This paper examines the potential overlap between DCD and JHS and examines children with DCD for symptoms which may be consistent with a diagnosis of JHS. Implications for research and clinical practice are considered. Methods A questionnaire covering a range of symptoms consistent with a diagnosis of JHS and related autonomic nervous systemic symptoms was completed by parents from 27 children with DCD and compared with responses from parents of 27 typically developing children. Results Children with DCD showed a significant difference from the group of typically developing children on questions regarding hypermobility, pain and autonomic nervous system symptoms, typifying JHS. Conclusions This study has shown a similarity in symptoms seen in some DCD children to those with a diagnosis of JHS. In addition, children are also presenting with multi-system symptomatology including those involving the autonomic nervous system. This study reinforces other recent work showing the reverse pattern of JHS children showing similar functional similarities to DCD children. This has implications for future research in DCD in order to understand the underlying aetiology of this complex disorder. In addition, it is important for clinicians to be awa…
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Kirby and Davies reported the prevalence of Joint Hypermobility Syndrome (JHS) in children with DCD was 37% versus typically developing children (7.4%) (p < 0.05).
“Kirby and Davies reported the prevalence of Joint Hypermobility Syndrome (JHS) in children with DCD was 37% versus typically developing children (7.4%) (p < 0.05).”
From Pediatric joint hypermobility: a diagnostic framework and narrative review (2023) · cites this paper as [62]
There are varying levels of evidence for a link between joint hypermobility and ASD, DCD and anxiety disorders in child cohorts.
“Additionally, there are varying levels of evidence for a link with ASD, 20,22,23 DCD 24–28 and anxiety disorders. 29,30”
From No association between joint hypermobility, musculoskeletal pain and neurodevelopmental problems in a school-based sample of 11-year-old children (2025) · cites this paper as [25]
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Glans, M. R., Aziz, A., Kindgren, E., Knez, R., Landgren, M., & Landgren, V. (2025) · BJPsych Open · doi:10.1192/bjo.2025.10881
- Authors
- Kirby, A., & Davies, R.
- Affiliations
- The University of Wales, Newport (GB)
- Corresponding author
- Kirby, A.
- ORCID
- Kirby, A.
- Venue
- Child: Care, Health and Development
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Published
- 2006-10-19
- Volume
- 33
- Issue
- 5
- Pages
- 513-519
- ISSN
- 0305-1862 (ISSN-L)
- 1365-2214
- OpenAlex
- W2042862621
- Cited by
- 87
- References
- 5
- Citations by year
- 2026: 1 · 2025: 4 · 2024: 1 · 2023: 5 · 2022: 3 · 2021: 3 · 2020: 4 · 2019: 3 · 2018: 8 · 2017: 3 · 2016: 6 · 2015: 8 · 2014: 9 · 2013: 10 · 2012: 4
- FWCI
- 3.95
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Child Care Health and Development (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Developmental and Educational Psychology › Children's Physical and Motor Development
- Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Genetics › Connective tissue disorders research
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
- Keywords
- developmental coordination disorder, joint hypermobility syndrome, joint hypermobility, autonomic symptoms, joint pain, motor coordination deficits, children, etiology, podiatry, physical activity participation
- MeSH terms
- Activities of Daily Living, Adolescent, Child, Child, Preschool, Diagnosis, Differential, Female, Humans, Joint Instability, Male, Medical History Taking, Surveys and Questionnaires, Wales, Chi-Square Distribution, Motor Skills Disorders
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