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Developmental Coordination Disorder also known as Dyspraxia
Evidence
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21900828/
Developmental Coordination Disorder in school aged children born very pre term and/or at very low birthweight – A Systematic Review
Jessica Edwards 1, Michelle Berube, Kelcey Erlandson, Stephanie Haug, Heather Johnstone, Meghan Meagher, Shirley Sarkodee-Adoo, Jill G Zwicker
Researchers still do not know the exact cause of DCD or why some children develop it and others do not. There have been many studies done on the relationship between prematurity and DCD. In all of the studies, DCD has been found to occur more often in babies that are born very early or have a low-birth weight. It is important that children who were born prematurely are identified if they are experiencing developmental delays or signs of DCD. Children with DCD should have access to therapies and early intervention to support their development.
Education
What is Developmental Coordination Disorder?
Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) is a motor disorder that affects how children move and coordinate their movements. It is estimated that this disorder affects approximately 5% of children, and the prevalence is higher amongst children who were born preterm. Every individual with DCD may experience difficulties in different ways. These difficulties may impact on participation in everyday life skills including in education, and everyday activities.
A diagnosis of DCD is sometimes missed in children, with parents attributing the symptoms to clumsiness or just not being good at physical activity. Some people do not receive a diagnosis until the high school years, or even later in life. Adolescents with DCD may have difficulty playing team sports, getting dressed, eating, and learning to drive. They are often slower at completing tasks and may get tired more easily.
Studies involving school-aged children showed increased numbers of DCD among children who had very low birth weights below 1500 g or were very preterm under 32 weeks than among age children born at term with normal birth weights. This means not all babies born very small and very early will have this problem but within the numbers of children that have this problem an increase prevalence was born early and small for gestation
DSM-5 classifies DCD as a motor disorder under the broader heading of neurodevelopmental disorders. The DSM-5 criteria for DCD are as follows:
Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) is a condition that needs to be managed over the course of a lifetime. The challenges in this disorder make it hard for teenagers to preform motor skills and coordination. It’s not a learning disorder, but it can impact learning. Teens with DCD struggle with physical tasks and activities and they need to do both in and out of school
Difficulties Experienced by Older Children and Teenagers
Teenage years can be exciting and challenging at the same time in any child’s life and when there is a child with special needs adjustments are needed to build confidence and find their niche’ in the fast-paced years.
Teenagers with DCD can find it challenging educationally, emotionally and physically to keep up with their peers and they will be under greater pressure now to ‘be cool’ and to respond in a more mature way.
They may even feel that their teachers and parents don’t understand them and are not helping them. Their frustration may now be displayed as disruptive behaviour both at home and school.
Changes in Teenagers with DCD
The Teen with Developmental Co-ordination Disorder difficulties (or DCD) will have a bit longer than the three to four weeks that it will take for teen with no special needs to settle into their surroundings and what is required of them. It’s common to have a teenager that will need reassurance and reviewing of the same tasks over a much greater period of time. They may still be getting lost and forgetful with homework, teachers names, class locations and where they are supposed to be and when, probably for a few months.
When a teenager with DCD moves up to high school it may help show their social strengths and weaknesses, as they are now the youngest in the school. Difficulties in keeping up with their peer group will now become more and more obvious and they are at risk of becoming isolated.
Teenagers may benefit from being able to talk about their condition and to implement their own strategies about how to respond to challenges. One approach which has been suggested is called the MATCH Strategy:
What conditions may coexist with the disorder?
Teenagers who have developmental coordination disorder frequently have other childhood disorders like for example; Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder/ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorder or specific learning disabilities and teenagers with developmental coordination disorder (with or without ADHD) have been found to be at increased risk of anxiety and depression.
Other problems commonly associated with DCD are psychosocial difficulties like weight gain, physical fitness, difficulty in activities of daily-living, physical and social activities.
Empowerment
Management strategies that support the Teen with DCD
Ways to Help Parents
Access information about the disorder and its symptoms.
Communicate the way your teenager’s challenges may appear to all people involved in the child’s care.
Possibly interpret certain behaviours differently in light of the diagnosis.
Obtain information about what can be done to help the teenager.
Determine specifically where and how to help the teenager.
Access funding or services that might not otherwise be accessible.
Here are some of the ways that teens are screened for DCD
DCD awareness week October 6-11 2021
Useful links
https://canchild.ca/en/resources/114-developmental-coordination-disorder-what-does-it-mean-to-me
https://canchild.ca/en/diagnoses/developmental-coordination-disorder/related_resources
https://raisingchildren.net.au/guides/a-z-health-reference/development-coordination-disorder-dcd
https://drkamps.ca/what-is-dcd
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