Developmental co-ordination disorder(DCD) is a condition where the children having this diagnosis appear to be “clumsy” they lack the necessary coordination needed to perform a task. So they end up dropping the objects. These occur during the initial period of child development and continue into their adulthood. Children with DCD have a delay in their motor milestones. For example these children have difficulty in performing crawling. Their muscles are not affected but their ability to co-ordinate their body movement is affected. Therefore they tend to fall often. These children also have a delay in walking. Their walking pattern is clumsy. They tend to hold the wall while walking to avoid fall. The fine motor skills of these children also affected. Example: it is difficult for them to perform a scissoring activity or threading small beads. Though they understand the concept, their ability to co-ordinate their body movements are affected. Therefore they end up performing the activity clumsily or drop off the objects. One advantage is these children have normal IQ. Therefore through therapy, it is possible to improve their coordination skills so that they can prevent/ reduce the condition following in their adulthood. Research says that occupational therapy has been the best opted treatment for children with DCD. The success rate is considerably high.

Jewel Autism Centre