Diagnosing DCD

If you think your child might have DCD, it may be helpful to visit your physician who can give a medical diagnosis and also rule out other causes of the coordination difficulties.

A physician will use these criteria to make a diagnosis:

• Learning and execution of coordinated motor skills is below age level given the child's opportunity for skill learning.
• Motor difficulties significantly interfere with activities of daily living, academic productivity, prevocational and vocational activities, leisure and play.
• Onset is in the early developmental period.
• Motor coordination difficulties are not better explained by intellectual delay, visual impairment, or other neurological conditions that affect movement

Will My Child Outgrow DCD?

Research has shown that the coordination difficulties experienced by children with DCD will persist into adolescence and adulthood. That is why the focus of this workshop is on providing information to maximize your child’s participation and to help prevent potential physical and mental health consequences.

For more details about diagnosis refer to the report Recognizing and Referring Children with DCD.