Developmental co-ordination disorder (dyspraxia) in children - Treatment

Treatment-Developmental co-ordination disorder (dyspraxia) in children

Contents

1. Overview
2. Symptoms
3. Diagnosis
4. Treatment

Developmental co-ordination disorder (DCD) can't be cured, but there are ways your child can be helped to manage their problems.

A small group of children, usually those with mild symptoms of clumsiness, may eventually "grow out" of their symptoms.

But the vast majority of children need long-term help, and will continue to be affected as teenagers and adults.

Once DCD has been diagnosed, a treatment plan tailored to your child's particular difficulties can be drawn up, which may involve input from a variety of specialists.

This, combined with extra help at school, can help your child manage many of their physical difficulties, improve their general confidence and self-esteem, and enable them to become a well-adjusted adult.

Developmental co-ordination disorder (dyspraxia) in children - Diagnosis

Diagnosis-Developmental co-ordination disorder (dyspraxia) in children

Contents

1. Overview
2. Symptoms
3. Diagnosis
4. Treatment

Talk to your GP, health visitor or special educational needs co-ordinator (SENCO) if you think your child has developmental co-ordination disorder (DCD).

They may refer your child to another professional who can help arrange an assessment.

This could be:

• a paediatrician – a doctor specialising in the care of children and babies, who will usually be based in your local community (community paediatrician)
• a paediatric occupational therapist – a healthcare professional who can assess a child's functional abilities in daily living activities, such as handling cutlery and getting dressed
• a paediatric physiotherapist – a healthcare professional who can assess a child's movement (motor) skills
• a clinical psychologist or Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services clinician – a healthcare professional who specialises in the assessment and treatment of mental health conditions to deal with emotional problems
• an educational psychologist – a professional who assists children who are having difficulty progressing with their education as a result of emotional, psychological or behavioural factors

Developmental co-ordination disorder (dyspraxia) in children - Symptoms

Symptoms-Developmental co-ordination disorder (dyspraxia) in children

Contents

1. Overview
2. Symptoms
3. Diagnosis
4. Treatment

Developmental co-ordination disorder (DCD) can cause a wide range of problems. Some of these may be noticeable at an early age, while others may only become more obvious as your child gets older.

Problems in infants

Delays in reaching normal developmental milestones can be an early sign of DCD in young children. For example, your child may take slightly longer than expected to roll over, sit, crawl or walk.

You may also notice that your child shows unusual body positions (postures) during their first year.

Although these may come and go, they also:

• have difficulty playing with toys that involve good co-ordination – such as stacking bricks
• may have some difficulties learning to eat with cutlery

Developmental co-ordination disorder (dyspraxia) in children - Overview

Overview-Developmental co-ordination disorder (dyspraxia) in children

Contents

1. Overview
2. Symptoms
3. Diagnosis
4. Treatment

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

DCD is thought to be around three or four times more common in boys than girls, and the condition sometimes runs in families.

This topic is about DCD in children, although the condition often causes continued problems into adulthood.