Developmental coordination disorder Flashcards
What is another term for Developmental Coordination Disorder?
- Developmental Clumsiness,
- Minimal Cerebral Dysfunction,
- Developmental Apraxia,
- Dyspraxia,
- DCD
What is the prevalence of Developmental Coordination Disorder in children ages 5-11 years?
5% to 8% cross-nationally
What is the male to female ratio of children affected by Developmental Coordination Disorder?
Between 2:1 and 7:1
males typically affected more than females
What percentage of children with learning disabilities have motor coordination or visual motor problems?
90%
Which common co-morbid problems are associated with Developmental Coordination Disorder?
- Attention ADHD
- Dyslexia
- Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
At what age is Developmental Coordination Disorder usually diagnosed?
6 to 12 years
How does the American Psychiatric assoication classify DCD and coordiantion
- Motor coordination problems in children and adolescents who have no obvious physical or mental impairments
- have been classified as having sensory integration problems
- marked impairment in the development of motor coordination
- this goes into adult hood
What are the implications of motor skills deficits in children with DCD?
- Significant interference with activities of daily living
- Impact on academic/school productivity
- Effects on leisure and play
What is the onset period for symptoms of Developmental Coordination Disorder?
Early developmental period
What must be ruled out for a diagnosis of DCD according to the DSM-V?
- progressive lesions of the cerebellum
- mental retardation
- pervasive development disorder
- attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
- brain injury
- global development delay
- autism
- cerebral palsy
- muscular dystrophy
- ataxia and dysarthria
What are the four diagnostic criteria for Developmental Coordination Disorder?
- Motor skills below expected age (considering opportunities to learn and practice motor skills)
- Significant interference with daily activities (self-care, academics, work, leisure, play)
- Early onset of symptoms (early development period)
- Not better explained by another medical condition
(last two require the involvement of family practitioner or developmental pediatrician to rule out other explanations; in many states only an MD or psychologist is permitted to make dx)
True or False: Developmental Coordination Disorder can be diagnosed solely based on a child’s clumsiness.
False
What psychosocial difficulties are children with DCD at increased risk for?
- Anxiety (may be selective mutism)
- Depression
- Overweight or obesity
- Compromised physical fitness
- ADHD
- austim
- specific learning disabilities
- hypermobility
- decreased participation of daily living
- dont want to move = hate gym
DCD affects movement and perception; those ith co-morbities have poorer outcomes
What brain areas are involved in the diagnosis of DCD? And where are there smaller volumes of neuroanatomixal structures
- Parietal cortex
- Frontal cortex
- Cerebellar cortex
AND
- cerebellum and basal ganglia
What are some possible causes of Developmental Coordination Disorder?
- Anoxia at birth (low O2)
- Low birth weight
- Prenatal, perinatal, or neonatal risk factors
- intraventricular hemorrhage
What are common early signs of Developmental Coordination Disorder?
- Messy when eating
- Late walker
- Awkward
- late talker due to issues with immitation
- Excessive frustration and crying (difficult to console)
- demand adult attention
- typically not identified until school age
What are some motor control deficits observed in children with DCD?
- Difficulty maintaining postures
- Atypical postural control strategies/Increased co-contraction of joints
- difficulties with execution phase: controlling variable movements, inaccurate reaching, gait coordination
What type of feedback do children with DCD rely heavily on during motor tasks?
Visual feedback
intervention strategies for children with DCD?
- Task-oriented functional practice
- involve family
- consider self organization practice with variability, feedback and declarative knowledge
- relevant to ADLs
- child centered
- referrals
- need clear goals and outcome measures for individual children
- physical education and perceptual motor training are the best ways to treat coordination disorder
- using a computer to take notes; may help the if they struggle with writting
- children with developmental coordination disorder are 3x more likely to be overweight than other children their age
What activities are recommended for children with DCD to encourage physical fitness?
- Swimming
- Cycling
- Skating
- Predictable sports activities
What is the role of family involvement in the treatment of DCD?
Involvement is crucial for support and encouragement in practice
What tool is most often used for evaluating Developmental Coordination Disorder?
DCD Questionnaire
What are some common questions to ask parents regarding a child with suspected DCD?
- Was your child born preterm?
- At what age did your child first walk independently?
- Does your child have difficulty with fine motor activities?
What is the outlook for children diagnosed with Developmental Coordination Disorder?
The disorder does not get worse over time but may continue into adulthood