Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD/Dyspraxia)
Developmental Coordination Disorder also known as dyspraxia is a neurodevelopmental condition in which a child struggles with activities that are easy for others. These small activities require motor skills such as tying their shoes, writing or catching a ball. It becomes challenging for them to join games that require quick movement. Even if they understand what to do, their body has difficulty following instructions which can be challenging. DCD/Dyspraxia is a childhood condition that can persist into adulthood.
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Common Signs of Developmental Coordination Disorder
Signs of developmental coordination disorder can be demonstrated differently in different age groups.
Signs of DCD 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 such as delays in crawling, walking or speaking may also be experienced in this condition.
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
Fine motor tasks are where small muscle movement is involved. 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 DCD in Adolescence
Some signs may start appearing in adolescence. The following are a few of these signs:
Academic Difficulties
Adolescents with DCD/Dyspraxia may face challenges in academic activities when performing tasks that require fine motor skills such as taking notes or completing assignments. They may have trouble organizing their thoughts which makes it difficult for them 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. This impacts their relationships and social gatherings.
Signs of DCD 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 affect muscle strength, joint flexibility and sensory perception. These struggles make their daily lives more challenging and they face difficulty 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 in such tasks.
It is worth noting that DCD is a lifelong condition, but symptoms may exhibit differently with age.
Diagnosis of Developmental Coordination Disorder
The diagnosis of DCD/Dyspraxia can be made by healthcare professionals, including occupational therapists, physiotherapists, and developmental pediatricians.
Causes and Risk Factors for (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 and Perinatal 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 [1]. Prenatal or perinatal factors such as smoking or drug use during pregnancy may also increase the risk of DCD/Dyspraxia.
Genetic and Family Factors
Family history is another factor that can increase the risk of its development.
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.
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).
Co-Occurring Neurodevelopmental Conditions
Neurological conditions such as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) or Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) can be associated with DCD/Dyspraxia.
Treatment of Developmental Coordination Disorder
The treatment involves individualized approaches to improve motor skills, enhance coordination, and develop independence in daily activities [2].
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 [3]. 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 an important 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.
Building a Helpful Environment for Children's Development
Implementing modifications can help children manage developmental coordination disorder. These can include 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 to support children at home and school.
Seeking Professional Support
It is important to seek support from a professional 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 identification and management approaches help to improve motor skills and overall functioning.