Developmental coordination disorder
Grace Goodfellow, DPT
Does your child trip over their own feet often, have difficulty tying shoes, difficulty with balance, and demonstrates an awkward running pattern? There may be an answer to why your child seems less coordinated than their peers. Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) is a chronic condition found in children characterized by motor impairment that interferes with the child’s activities of daily living or academic achievement.
6 things to know about Developmental Coordination Disorder:
Motor characteristics include: low muscle tone, persistent infantile reflexes, difficulty with balance, falling frequently, difficulty with handwriting or drawing, difficulty using utensils, following 2-3 step motor commands, drops items, and difficulty dressing.
How might DCD affect your child at school and in other social environments? DCD has been found to correlate with learning difficulties, poor interactive play skills, low self-esteem, increased anxiety, and avoidant behaviors when it comes to physical/sport related activities.
Might be more common than you realize. 5-6% of school age children are diagnosed with DCD.
Other diagnoses that DCD is often associated with include: ADHD, phonological disorders, expressive language disorder, and mixed receptive-expressive language disorder.
But how do I know if my child has DCD? A physical therapy evaluation might be a great place to start! Although a PT cannot diagnose, we have screening tools and questionnaires to detect whether a referral to your pediatrician or another provider is needed. A PT evaluation will also include a detailed assessment of your child’s movement patterns to assess whether there are other contributing factors such as: weakness in core muscles, difficulties with body awareness, and difficulties with balance.
What would Physical Therapy look like for my child? After an evaluation a detailed plan of care is created specific to your child. Physical therapy for DCD is two-part, first includes working on the specific motor skills that are particularly difficult for your child, such as, jumping jacks, agility/jumping skills, running form, or bilateral coordination activities. Second includes working on the underlying contributing factors such as core stability training, weakness in proximal muscles, cardiorespiratory fitness, and balance.
What to Do if You Suspect Your Child Has DCD?
If you think your child may have coordination difficulties caused by Developmental Coordination Disorder come in for a consultation to speak with a physical therapist. A physical therapist can help answer questions and help determine if a physical therapy evaluation is needed. At an evaluation a physical therapist will help determine if a referral to your pediatrician is needed for formal diagnostic evaluation for DCD.
We want to be a resource for you and your child so that they have the best opportunity to participate in all activities meaningful to them. We will include both you and your child in the goal setting process and be the biggest cheerleader as your child overcomes movement challenges, builds self-esteem, and participates in all the activities they desire!
