Children with DCD may:
- Learn to crawl, walk, feed themselves, or get dressed later than other children.
- Find drawing, writing, or sports more difficult.
- Appear clumsy or uncoordinated.
Developmental Co-ordination Disorder (DCD)
What is Developmental Co‑ordination Disorder (DCD)?
Developmental co‑ordination disorder (DCD), also called dyspraxia, is a condition that makes it harder for someone to move their body smoothly and in a coordinated way.
Children with DCD might seem clumsier or find certain everyday activities harder than other children their age.
Even though DCD starts early in life, children grow at different speeds, so doctors usually wait until a child is at least 5 years old to diagnose it.
This information is mainly about children, although DCD can continue into adulthood.
Children with DCD may:
- Learn to crawl, walk, feed themselves, or get dressed later than other children.
- Find drawing, writing, or sports more difficult.
- Appear clumsy or uncoordinated.
Moving our bodies smoothly is complicated and needs many parts of the brain and nerves to work well together.
In DCD, something in this process doesn’t develop as expected.
Doctors aren’t sure exactly why this happens, but some things can make it more likely, such as:
- being born early (before 37 weeks)
- having a low birth weight
- having family members with DCD
- the mother drinking alcohol or using illegal drugs during pregnancy
Moving our bodies smoothly is complicated and needs many parts of the brain and nerves to work well together.
In DCD, something in this process doesn’t develop as expected.
Doctors aren’t sure exactly why this happens, but some things can make it more likely, such as:
- being born early (before 37 weeks)
- having a low birth weight
- having family members with DCD
- the mother drinking alcohol or using illegal drugs during pregnancy
If you’re worried about how your child is developing, talk to:
- a GP or health visitor, or
- staff at school such as a nurse, doctor, or SENCO (Special Educational Needs Co‑ordinator)
They may then send your child to an occupational therapist, paediatrician, or another specialist who can check how they are developing. Usually it takes an Occupational Therapist and a paediatrician working together to diagnose DCD.
Sometimes other causes of difficulties with co-ordination need to be ruled out and this might mean a blood test or other tests.
If you’re worried about how your child is developing, talk to:
- a GP or health visitor, or
- staff at school such as a nurse, doctor, or SENCO (Special Educational Needs Co‑ordinator)
They may then send your child to an occupational therapist, paediatrician, or another specialist who can check how they are developing. Usually it takes an Occupational Therapist and a paediatrician working together to diagnose DCD.
Sometimes other causes of difficulties with co-ordination need to be ruled out and this might mean a blood test or other tests.
There is no cure, but children can learn ways to manage their difficulties. Help may include:
- Learning steps to do tricky activities, by breaking them into smaller parts and practising.
- Using tools that make tasks easier, like special grips on pencils.
DCD does not affect a child’s intelligence, but it may make learning and schoolwork harder, especially writing. Because of this, children may need extra help from teachers and parents.
As children get older, many learn coping strategies, although some may still have difficulties with movement or school tasks.
There is no cure, but children can learn ways to manage their difficulties. Help may include:
- Learning steps to do tricky activities, by breaking them into smaller parts and practising.
- Using tools that make tasks easier, like special grips on pencils.
DCD does not affect a child’s intelligence, but it may make learning and schoolwork harder, especially writing. Because of this, children may need extra help from teachers and parents.
As children get older, many learn coping strategies, although some may still have difficulties with movement or school tasks.