Dr Gavin Buckingham, University of Exeter

Co-creating research with dyspraxic children
Abstract: Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD, or dyspraxia) is a congenital motor skills disorder impacting around 5-6% of school-age children, often leading to difficulties in physical, social, and emotional development. Traditional diagnostic tools, while effective, can be resource-intensive, stress-inducing, and time consuming. There is potential for the motion tracking capabilities of consumer immersive Virtual Reality (VR) technologies to occupy the space between screening and formal diagnosis for this population. Here, we describe the process for the development of motor assessment tasks in VR based on established tasks from the 2nd edition of the Movement Assessment Battery for Children(MABC-2), and our engagement with dyspraxic adults and children to co-develop a tool which aims to be a more accessible, objective, and engaging alternative to traditional diagnostic tools. I will also outline the ongoing process of using PPI to developing a motor-based sports VR intervention in dyspraxic children.