Developmental coordination disorder

What is developmental coordination disorder?

Developmental coordination disorder (DCD) is a common, life-long neurodevelopmental disorder (a condition that affects how your brain works).

Children with DCD have a hard time learning new motor skills. Large muscle movements (gross motor), small muscle movements (fine motor), and muscles used for talking and eating (oral motor) can be affected. These challenges can affect a child’s ability to function at home and at school. DCD can also affect social activities, recreation, and a child’s self-esteem.

With DCD, motor skill challenges start in early childhood and are not due to another medical condition or disease.

Who is most at risk of DCD?

DCD affects 5% of school-aged children, and more boys than girls. Preterm birth is also a risk factor.

What does DCD look like?

DCD can look different depending on your child’s age.

Preschool age children may have difficulty:

• climbing and using playground equipment,
• using a straw, fork or spoon,
• balancing,
• drawing, colouring, doing crafts and using scissors, or
• getting dressed or undressed.

School-age children may have difficulty:

• learning how to ride a bicycle or learning how to swim,
• throwing or catching a ball,
• playing team sports and gym class (avoid these activities),
• printing (writing can be slow or messy), or
• writing tasks (homework can be frustrating).

Teenagers may have challenges:                    

• keeping up with written assignments and tests,
• with classes like art, band, drafting, metalwork,
• completing daily activities like preparing meals,
• learning how to drive, or
• doing physical activities, and may prefer sedentary (inactive) ones.

What should I do if I think that my child has DCD?

Share your concerns with your health care provider or your child’s teacher.

DCD is diagnosed by a team that typically includes a family doctor or paediatrician, and standardized motor testing by an occupational therapist or a physiotherapist.

Children with DCD are sometimes diagnosed with other conditions like attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorder (ASD), learning or language disorders, and mood disorders (anxiety and depression).

My child has been diagnosed with DCD. How can I support them?

There are many ways you can support your child:

• Limit screen time.
• Promote healthy eating habits.
• Encourage physical activity for fun and fitness.
• Support their self-esteem and mental health.
• Learn what professional support is available in your community (e.g., occupational therapists, school-based teams).
• Share resources on DCD with recreation instructors (e.g., sport, dance, and music teachers) so they can support your child's ability to participate in activities.
• Seek evidence-based therapy like the Cognitive Orientation to Occupational Performance (CO-OP) approach.

Is there a cure for DCD?

Although DCD is a chronic life-long condition, identifying it early and accessing proper treatment with an occupational therapist or physiotherapist can help your child learn motor skills they need or want to master. Your child’s health care provider can help connect you with someone in your community or someone through telehealth.