Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD/Dyspraxia)
Developmental Coordination Disorder is a condition in which a child struggles with activities that seem easy for others, which require motor skills such as tying their shoes, writing, or catching a ball. During playtime, it becomes challenging for them to join the games that require quick movement. Even if they understand what to do, their body has difficulty following instructions, which can be challenging. It is also known as Dyspraxia. DCD/Dyspraxia is a childhood condition that can persist into adulthood.
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Diagnosis of Developmental Coordination Disorder
The diagnosis of DCD/Dyspraxia can be made by healthcare professionals, including occupational therapists, physiotherapists, and developmental pediatricians.
Common Signs of Developmental Coordination Disorder
Signs of developmental coordination disorder can be demonstrated differently in different age groups.
Signs of Developmental Coordination Disorder in Children
DCD/Dyspraxia can be noticed during early developmental milestones. The following signs can be observed.
Motor Coordination Difficulties
Children with DCD/Dyspraxia may face difficulty with coordination, balance, and motor planning skills. They also may face trouble with motor tasks such as catching a ball, tying shoelaces, or holding utensils.
Delayed Motor Milestones
Developmental delays may also be experienced, such as delays in crawling, walking, or speaking.
Clumsiness and Awkwardness
Children may seem clumsy and bump into objects. They may also face difficulty with spatial awareness, which may lead to colliding behavior.
Fine Motor Skill Challenges
Children with DCD/Dyspraxia may also face difficulties with fine motor tasks such as writing, coloring, or buttoning their clothes. Their writing can be difficult to read due to poor motor coordination.
Signs of Developmental Coordination Disorder in Adolescence
Some signs may start appearing in adolescence. These signs are as follows:
Academic Difficulties
Adolescents with DCD/Dyspraxia may face challenges with tasks that require fine motor skills, such as taking notes or completing assignments. They may have trouble organizing their thoughts, making it difficult to plan and perform tasks.
Social and Emotional Impact
Adolescents suffering from DCD/Dyspraxia may experience a feeling of frustration, low self-esteem, and anxiety due to daily challenges. They become unable to join activities, which makes them feel left out, impacting their relationships and social gatherings.
Signs of Developmental Coordination Disorder in Late Adulthood
Certain signs appear in childhood and adolescence, while certain signs may also appear in adulthood, as follows:
Deterioration of Motor Skills
In late adulthood, difficulty with existing motor coordination can occur. Age factors may contribute to increased difficulties and impact muscle strength, joint flexibility, and sensory perception. These struggles make their daily lives more challenging, and they face trouble in performing daily tasks independently.
Challenges with Coordination
People with DCD may struggle with balance and coordination. It also affects their self-care tasks, such as dressing, grooming, or cooking for themselves; they may require regular support.
It is worth noting that DCD is a lifelong condition, but symptoms may exhibit differently with age.
Causes and Risk Factors of (DCD) Developmental Coordination Disorder
While the exact cause is not fully known, a few factors can contribute to the risk of developmental coordination disorder. The risk factors of Dyspraxia can be exhibited differently across different life stages.
How Birth Factors Influence
Children born with a low birth weight or born prematurely may be more at risk of developing a developmental coordination disorder later on.
How Family History Affects
Family history is another factor that can increase the risk of its development. Prenatal or perinatal factors such as smoking or drug use during pregnancy may also increase the risk of DCD/Dyspraxia.
How Environmental Factors Influence
Environmental factors such as deprivation, neglect, or trauma in early childhood can affect motor development and increase the risk of DCD.
The Impact of Neurological Conditions
Neurological conditions such as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) or Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) can be associated with DCD/Dyspraxia.
Effects of Mental Pressures
In adolescence, an increased level of stress, anxiety, or depression can develop, which affects their well-being.
Social Challenges in DCD
Withdrawing from social gatherings can impact their social skills and relationships.
Emotional Challenges In Adulthood
In adulthood, a person may face difficulty in daily activities and need regular support. They may face emotional difficulties, such as low self-esteem and difficulty maintaining relationships. Their social interactions become limited, affecting their quality of life.
Neurological Conditions and Cognitive Decline
In later adulthood, people with neurological conditions such as Parkinson's disease or stroke may experience DCD-like symptoms. The impact of cognitive decline, such as Alzheimer's disease or Dementia, can be on motor coordination, which may increase the risk of DCD-like symptoms.
Note: Not all of these risk factors can lead to the development of DCD/Dyspraxia, but they may increase the risk of developing Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD).
Treatment of Developmental Coordination Disorder
The management is involved in individualized treatment approaches to improve motor skills, enhance coordination, and develop independence in daily activities.
Occupational Therapy
Occupational therapy is a therapy that occupational therapists use to help in the management of DCD/Dyspraxia. Occupational therapists help to improve the skills needed for daily tasks, such as self-care, handwriting, coordination, and development. Therapists work on improving motor coordination and sensory integration, and utilize techniques to improve organizing skills.
Physical Therapy
Gross motor skills, balance, and coordination can be improved by utilizing physical therapy. Physical therapy is based on exercises, stretches, and activities to improve flexibility and overall motor skills. It can help people with developmental coordination disorder to enhance the skills needed to perform daily tasks more effectively.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) plays a crucial role in addressing the emotional and psychological challenges associated with their struggles. CBT helps to identify challenging and negative thoughts and to improve self-esteem. CBT can help manage anxiety associated with their motor coordination difficulties.
Supporting Children with DCD/Dyspraxia
A few practical strategies can help children with DCD/Dyspraxia improve their daily functioning and independence.
Establishing a Helpful Environment for Children's Development
Employing modifications can help children manage developmental coordination disorder. These can be providing visual cues, implementing assistive technologies, or acquiring tools to make activities more manageable. Environmental modifications can help reduce the hurdles and enhance independence in daily activities.
Supporting Children with Skill Training and Parent-Teacher Guidance
Therapists can support children in specific skills training according to their needs, such as handwriting, tying shoelaces, or holding utensils to improve motor skills. Therapists can guide parents and educators about developmental coordination disorder, aiming to support children at home and school.
Seeking Professional Support
It is important to seek professional support to manage DCD/Dyspraxia effectively.
Final Thoughts
The management of DCD/Dyspraxia is an ongoing process, and progress can vary from person to person. It requires a collaborative approach among professionals, including occupational therapists, physical therapists, psychologists, educators, and caregivers. Early recognition and management approaches help to improve motor skills and overall functioning.