What is DCD or Dyspraxia?

Developmental co-ordination disorder (DCD), also known as dyspraxia, is a condition affecting physical co-ordination. It causes a child to perform less well than expected in daily activities for their age, and appear to move clumsily.

Early developmental milestones of crawling, walking, self-feeding and dressing may be delayed in young children with DCD. Drawing, writing and performance in sports are also usually behind what is expected for their age.

How DCD is diagnosed and when?

Although signs of the condition are present from an early age, children vary widely in their rate of development. This means a definite diagnosis of DCD does not usually happen until a child with the condition is 5 years old or more when  a standarised assessment of child motor coordiantion abilities can be performed.

In addition, the child would need to be assessed by paediatrician to determine whether there are any medical excplantion of the child difficulties, or whether the motor coordination difficulties are part of a wider condition or syndrome.