Developmental coordination disorder

Definition

Developmental coordination disorder is a childhood disorder characterized by poor coordination and clumsiness.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors

Roughly 6% of school-age children have some degree of developmental coordination disorder. Children with this disorder may trip over their own feet, run into other children, have trouble holding objects, and have an unsteady gait.

Developmental coordination disorder may appear alone or in conjunction with other learning disorders, such as communication disorders or disorder of written expression.

Symptoms

Children with developmental coordination disorder have difficulties with motor coordination compared to other children the same age. Some common symptoms include:

• Delays in sitting up, crawling, and walking
• Problems with handwriting
• Problems with gross motor coordination (jumping, hopping, standing on one foot)
• Problems with fine motor coordination (tying shoelaces, tapping one finger to another)
• Clumsiness

Signs and tests

Physical causes and other types of learning disabilities must be ruled out before the diagnosis can be confirmed.

Treatment

Physical education and perceptual motor training are the best approaches for treating coordination disorder.

Expectations (prognosis)

The degree of recovery depends on the severity of the disorder.

Complications

• Repeated injuries
• Learning problems
• Low self-esteem resulting from poor ability at sports and teasing by other children

Calling your health care provider

Call for an appointment with a health care provider if you are concerned about your child's development.

Prevention

Affected families should make every effort to recognize existing problems early and have them treated. Early treatment is beneficial to future success.