Clumsiness in Children: Developmental Coordination Disorder

Abstract

Developmental coordination disorder (nCO) is a common and often permanent condition, which significantly interferes with the well being of young people and their families. There are strong associations between DeD, psychiatric disorders and learning disabilities. The condition is frequently not recognized by physicians or is dismissed as transient and unimportant. The diagnosis ofDCD is free of implications as to the cause of the disability, which is clearly the end-result of a number of different processes, but helps to reduce family anxieties and facilitates access to rehabilitation professionals. The history is more diagnostic than the physical examination, but standardized tests, usually administered by occupational therapists, can validate the diagnosis. Mental retardation and neurological disease must be excluded, but neuro-imaging and laboratory investigations are rarely indicated. The professional role includes information exchange, ongoing family support, and early referral for appropriate assessment and interventions. Current research priorities include the delineation of subtypes to assign children to the most appropriate of the available interventions, and the ongoing evaluation of cognitive or top-down approaches.