How is developmental coordination disorder diagnosed?

Development and growth in children follows a predictable pattern and they will ordinarily develop the ability to sit up, stand, walk, and speak at predictable ages with a certain amount of typical variation. Developmental coordination disorder (DCD, for short) is one of many conditions that might lead to a delay in acquiring those key events. Developmental coordination disorder is actually a deficiency of control involving exactly what the brain wants and the capacity to get the body to carry out these intentions. For example, the mind could say "I ought to tie my shoe laces." For unidentified motives, the brain just isn't going to properly deliver the directions for shoelace tying to the feet and hands. The brain understands how to tie footwear, but the hands basically are not able to continue with the mind's instructions. This is exactly what additionally occurs when you attempt to run, hop, write, button a top, and many other activities. Those with DCD normally have normal intelligence. DCD is occasionally referred to as "clumsy child syndrome". Signs and symptoms of DCD can take place soon after birth having problems learning how to suck and take milk. In small children it might be that they're slower to learn to rollover, sit, crawl as well as walk.

As the youngster enters school, the symptoms of the condition may become much more noticeable. These symptoms could include things such as an unsteady walk, problems going downstairs, dropping things, running into other people, recurrent stumbling, difficulty tying footwear and putting on clothes. Additionally they could become self-conscious and withdraw from sports activities and also social interactions. This might lead to a further deterioration mainly because of the reduced physical exercise. Having the capacity to sustain social involvement and also a good physical activity is important to help rise above the difficulties of DCD. The actual cause of developmental coordination disorder is not really obvious and certainly not well comprehended. It's a result of delayed brain development, however the elements underlying that are not yet been well-established. Occasionally, the DCD can happen with other problems, including attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

DCD is often hard to diagnose because the symptoms could be mistaken for the ones from other concerns plus there is some normal variability in getting the development achievements. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders book has four considerations that require be met for a diagnosis of developmental coordination disorder: The youngster exhibits delays in achieving motor key events; the disorder appreciably interferes with activities of daily living and/or academic performance; the symptoms begin early in the child’s life; and also there are issues with motor skills will not be better explained by intellectual disability, visual problems, or brain conditions.

The management of developmental coordination disorder is by using a longterm intervention including education and learning, physical rehabilitation, occupational therapy, as well as social capabilities instruction to assist them to adjust to the dysfunction. The physical education helps develop coordination, stability, and improves that communicating involving the mind and the body. Individual physical activities for instance going swimming or cycling may well give much better opportunities in the beginning than team sporting activities. Everyday physical exercise and sport is essential in order to improve that mind and body interaction as well as for general wellbeing. Occupational therapy could actually help the child grasp daily activities. People that have DCD generally do continue to encounter some symptoms as grown ups, but with proper training and learning in motor skills can really help them lead a typical and rewarding life.

The issues of developmental coordination disorder and how it affect the lower limb and development were discussed in an episode of PodChatLive. In this episode the hosts chatted with the podiatrist, Nina Davies who specializes in gait disorders in children.

Craig Payne is a University lecturer, runner, cynic, researcher, skeptic, forum admin, woo basher, clinician, rabble-rouser, blogger and a dad.