Developmental coordination disorder is part of a cluster of diagnoses called the motor disorders. Motor disorders are a group of psychiatric conditions that include:
Motor disorders are a group of psychiatric conditions that affect the ability to produce and control bodily movements.
Motor disorders may involve developmental delays and deficits involving fine and gross motor functions. Developmental coordination disorder is characterized by deficits in the acquisition and execution of coordinated motor skills and is manifested by clumsiness and slowness or inaccuracy of performance of motor skills that cause interference with daily living. Stereotypic movement disorder includes patterns of repetitive and seemingly driven yet purposeless motor behaviors. Examples of such behaviors include movements of the head, body, and hands that are developmentally abnormal. Tic disorders involve sudden, rapid and recurrent, non-rhythmic motor movements or vocalizations. Such motoric or vocal manifestations are observably involuntary.
Developmental coordination disorder is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects 5-6% of children between the ages of 5-11. The disorder can occur in both males and females, but it is significantly more common in males. The core symptom of developmental coordination disorder is the acquisition and execution of coordinated motor skills being substantially below the child's chronological age and opportunity for skill learning and use.
These difficulties are manifested as clumsiness (e.g., dropping or bumping into objects) as well as slowness and inaccuracy of performance of motor skills (e.g., catching an object, using scissors or cutlery, handwriting, riding a bike, or participating in sports). Some of the physical characteristics of a child with developmental coordination disorder include:
Other terms used to describe developmental coordination disorder include childhood dyspraxia, specific developmental disorder of motor function, and clumsy child syndrome.
Children with developmental coordination disorder experience significant interference in their daily lives from their motor coordination difficulties. Of note, independent self-care presents a challenge in that they have difficulty with dressing, tying shoelaces, and toileting. The child may appear to be uninterested, in particular physical activities in an attempt to avoid participating in motor tasks.
They may also avoid socializing with peers, particularly on the playground. Long-term avoidance of physical tasks may lead to poor physical fitness and risk for obesity. Children may experience secondary emotional difficulties such as low frustration tolerance, decreased self-esteem, and lack of motivation. These children may be resistant to changes and may appear dissatisfied in their performance likely due to the high output of effort required to plan and execute a task.
It is hypothesized that children with developmental coordination disorder may have cerebellar dysfunction due to their difficulty automating motor skills. Developmental coordination disorder is more common following prenatal exposure to alcohol and in preterm and low birth weight children. This disorder co-occurs with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), specific learning disabilities, and autism spectrum disorder.
Developmental coordination disorder is treatable. Published treatment guidelines for developmental coordination disorder include those from the German-Swiss Interdisciplinary Clinical Practice Guide.
The first step when treating developmental coordination disorder is to organize services to efficiently meet the comprehensive needs of children with developmental coordination disorder and their families. It is beneficial for professionals and families to work together to offer services fostering motor function, encouraging physical participation, and developing coping strategies.
Clinical research suggests that the following treatments are indicated for the treatment of children and adolescents with developmental coordination disorder:
The first step when treating developmental coordination disorder is to organize services to efficiently meet the comprehensive needs of children with developmental coordination disorder and their families. It is beneficial for professionals and families to work together to offer services fostering motor function, encouraging physical participation, and developing coping strategies.
Clinical research suggests that the following treatments are indicated for the treatment of children and adolescents with developmental coordination disorder: