Developmental coordination disorder is a childhood disorder that leads to poor coordination and clumsiness.
Causes, incidence, and risk factors
About 5% of school-age children have some kind of developmental coordination disorder. Children with this disorder may:
Have trouble holding objects
Have an unsteady walk
Run into other children
Trip over their own feet
Developmental coordination disorder may occur alone or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder or other learning disorders, such as communication disorders or disorder of written expression.
Symptoms
Children with developmental coordination disorder have difficulties with motor coordination compared to other children the same age. Some common symptoms include:
Problems with sucking and swallowing during first year of life
Problems with gross motor coordination (for example, jumping, hopping, or standing on one foot)
Problems with visual or fine motor coordination (for example, writing, using scissors, tying shoelaces, or tapping one finger to another)
Signs and tests
Physical causes and other types of learning disabilities must be ruled out before the diagnosis can be confirmed.
Treatment
Physical education and perceptual motor training are the best ways to treat coordination disorder. Using a computer to take notes may help children who have trouble writing.
Children with developmental coordination disorder are three times more likely to be overweight than other children their age. Encouraging physical activity is important to prevent obesity.
Expectations (prognosis)
How well a child does depends on the severity of the disorder. The disorder does not get worse over time. It usually continues into adulthood.
Complications
Learning problems
Low self-esteem resulting from poor ability at sports and teasing by other children
Repeated injuries
Weight gain as a result of not wanting to participate in physical activities (such as sports)
Calling your health care provider
Call for an appointment with a health care provider if you are concerned about your child's development.
Prevention
Families who are affected by this condition should try to recognize problems early and have them treated. Early treatment will lead to future success.
References
Nass R, Ross G. Developmental disabilities. In: Bradley WG, Daroff RB, Fenichel GM, Jankovic J, eds. Neurology in Clinical Practice. 6th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Butterworth-Heinemann; 2012:chap 61.
Review Date:
11/9/2012
Reviewed By:
Jennifer K. Mannheim, ARNP, Medical Staff, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health, Seattle Children's Hospital. Also reviewed by A.D.A.M. Health Solutions, Ebix, Inc., Editorial Team: David Zieve, MD, MHA, David R. Eltz, Stephanie Slon, and Nissi Wang.
