Developmental coordination disorder
Impaired planning and execution of coordinated motor movements — sometimes called dyspraxia — targeted with functional skill-building rather than generic exercise.
What it is
Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD, sometimes called dyspraxia) is a neurodevelopmental condition impairing the planning and execution of coordinated motor movements, not explained by intellectual disability, a diagnosed neurological condition, or a general medical condition. It affects an estimated 5–6% of school-age children and, while it does not worsen with age, motor difficulties commonly persist into adolescence and adulthood without intervention.
Common symptoms & concerns
- Predominantly gross-motor difficulty (balance, coordination, sports skills), fine-motor difficulty (handwriting, buttons, cutlery), or both
- Marked delay in reaching motor milestones and clumsiness
- Difficulty with handwriting and self-care tasks such as dressing and using cutlery
- Frequent co-occurrence with executive function, attention, or visual-perceptual difficulty
Assessment & care
Assessment approach
Assessment evaluates your child's gross-motor and fine-motor profile alongside any co-occurring executive-function or attention difficulty, since DCD frequently presents alongside these.
In-scope care
In-scope care includes occupational therapy and physical therapy, targeted at functional skill-building (handwriting, self-care, gross-motor confidence) rather than generic exercise. OT and PT address the fine- and gross-motor components together so functional gains transfer across settings rather than staying confined to the therapy room.
Treatments used
Related questions
Not on its own; while DCD does not worsen with age, motor difficulties commonly persist into adolescence and adulthood without intervention, which is why targeted occupational and physical therapy is recommended.
No, DCD is a diagnosable neurodevelopmental condition affecting motor planning and execution, distinct from typical variation in coordination, and it is assessed and treated as such.
Occupational therapy and physical therapy targeted at specific functional skills, such as handwriting, self-care, and gross-motor confidence, rather than generic exercise, are the established approach.