Week 4.2 Developmental Coordination Disorder

Question 1

what is DCD

Answer 1

this is a motor coordination problem, where the child is way below others, and has a problem participating in school and at home. They will look clumsy and like they have some sort of ataxia

Question 2

how is DCD diagnosed (3 pieces)

Answer 2

• motor impairment or motor skill delay that interferes with their interaction of play
• with adequate opportunities to play
• no other explanation for the impairment

Question 3

what really is the key piece to know when diagnosing a child with DCD

Answer 3

the motor impairments are really interfering with their motor activities and their ability to function in school

Question 4

what causes DCD

Answer 4

unknown, there is no anatomical site associated with it..

theories: cerebellar involvement, impaired feed forward models, mirror neurons

Question 5

what disorders are associated with DCD

Answer 5

intellectual disability
ADHD
learning disability
speech and articulation difficulties

Question 6

do kids grow out of DCD

Answer 6

no they do not, without intervention

Question 7

what is the prognosis of DCD

Answer 7

they engage less in play, spend more time alone, and less time with other kids, so they will start to avoid.

Question 8

kids with DCD are at risk of developing…

Answer 8

serious negative physical social and emotional behavioral and mental health consequences.

Question 9

what impairments do we see (6 things)

Answer 9

• sensory and perceptual deficits (process more slowly)
• motor deficits (movement is slow, rigid, awkward, they trip and lose balance)
• motor control (inappropriate muscle activity)
• motor learning
• physical (decreased energy, strength, fatigue, lean against things)
• social/emotional/behavioral (quiet, withdrawn, frustrated)

Question 10

what do their activity limitations look like

Answer 10

• slow and clumsy gait,
• difficulty with self care,
• difficulty in the classroom and with fine motor (handwriting),
• delayed and poor gross motor skills,
• delayed oral motor skills (talking and eating)

Question 11

what are their participation restrictions

Answer 11

they will have reduced interest in the activity, which will let them withdraw more, then you have avoidance of sports, and limited social and physical participation, and slow to move around the school and playground. vicious cycle of not making it, and not wanting to play…

Question 12

what do kids with DCD have difficulty with

Answer 12

tying shoes, and making it to class on time

Question 13

what are some personal factors associate with DCD

Answer 13

they think they are less competent
low self worth
greater anxiety
self-imposed isolation

Question 14

what does the DCD exam look like

Answer 14

observe them 
parent report (DCDQ)
teacher checklist (MABC-C)
child report (CSAPPA)
standardized gross motor testing

Question 15

how do we address DCD with a bottom up approach

Answer 15

with the body structure and function, so treating the underlying impairments to treat the deficits, which will get minimal changes. use perceptual motor training, sensory integration and NDT

Question 16

how do we address DCD with a top down approach

Answer 16

treat the tasks and participation they struggle with. task specific interventions and cognitive approaches, to help them learn new movements, and help guide them with feedback and encouragement

Question 17

is education important in DCD and to who

Answer 17

yes, to the child, family, school, community and anyone else who interacts with the child.