Causes and risk factors
The exact cause of the disorder is not known. It may appear alone or along with other learning disorders such as communication disorders or disorder of written expression.
Clinical presentation
The symptoms of developmental co-ordination disorder may vary from child to child. They include problems with sucking and swallowing during first year of life. There is delay in sitting up, crawling, and walking. Difficulty in performing task that requires hand-eye co-ordination is observed. The child is awkward and clumsy in performing daily activities. Problems with jumping, hopping, or standing on one foot is seen. Problems in activities like with writing, using scissors, tying shoelaces, or tapping one finger to another. Behavioral symptoms include lack of interest or avoidance of certain activities, low frustration tolerance, decreased motivation and low self-esteem, lack of socializing, loss of confidence, resistant to changes in his or her daily life, etc.
Investigation
Medical history by the patient and clinical examination by the doctor helps in diagnosis. If the criteria stated for diagnosis is fulfilled, then he child is diagnosed with developmental coordination disorder. The criteria is as follows – delays in reaching motor milestones, activities of daily living and/or academic performance are affected. The symptoms do not relate to any other motor or brain disorders.
Treatment
No treatment is available for patients with DCD. Individual and family therapy, parent child interaction techniques, parent training, social involvement, spending quality time with your children will also help in managing DCD. Speech therapy is useful to correct speech defects. Physiotherapy is required for development of motor skills. Children with this disorder need lifelong support for their daily living. There are support groups for families that help reduce their isolation and frustration. Medications like anticonvulsants and antipsychotics may be required.
Other Modes of treatment
The other modes of treatment can also be effective in treating DCD. Homoeopathy is a science which deals with individualization and considers a person in a holistic way. This science can be helpful in combating the symptoms. Similarly, the Ayurvedic system of medicine which uses herbal medicines and synthetic derivates are also found to be effective in treating DCD.
Facts and figures
DCD affects about 5-6% of school-aged children.
