Developmental Delay and Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD)

Question 1

What is Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD)?

Answer 1

A condition which presents as motor impairments that interfere with the child’s abilities to participate in physical activities and ADLs.

Question 2

What is the DSM Criteria for Diagnosis of DCD?

Answer 2

• Performance in daily activities requiring motor coordination is substantially below that expected, given age and measured intelligence.
• Marked delays in achieving motor milestones (walking, crawling, sitting), dropping things, clumsiness, handwriting.

Question 3

What are common impairments of DCD?

Answer 3

• Kinaesthetic perception.
• Postural control and sway.
• Visual perception.
• Motor planning.
• Decreased muscle power.
• Attention.
• Motor Execution.
• Balance.

Question 4

What is Developmental Delay?

Answer 4

Developmental delay is when a child does not achieve developmental milestones in comparison to peers of the same age.