Children with developmental coordination disorder (DCD) find it difficult to learn motor skills like tying shoes, getting dressed and riding a bike. Even though DCD is common, many children who have it are not diagnosed or treated. Although there are many theories, it is not yet possible to offer a clear answer about what causes DCD. As children with DCD can have associated difficulties in addition to their motor difficulties, it seems unlikely that a single factor will explain the coordination problems observed in this group of children. Most recently, researchers have suggested a possible link between the cerebellum and the challenges seen with DCD, as the cerebellum is critical for developing automatic movement control and the ongoing monitoring of movements, both of which are affected in DCD.
- DCD is very common
- DCD is under-diagnosed
- The impact is more than just physical
- Children don’t outgrow DCD
- DCD is treatable