Dyspraxia in children
Developmental co-ordination disorder (DCD) can cause a wide range of problems. Some of these may be noticeable at an early age, while others may only become more obvious as your child gets older .
Delays in reaching normal developmental milestones can be an early sign of DCD in young children. For example, your child may take slightly longer than expected to roll over, sit, crawl or walk.
You may also notice that your childshows unusual body positions (postures) during their first year.
Although these may come and go, they also:
As your child gets older, they may develop more noticeable physical difficulties in addition to a number of other problems.
Problems with movement and co-ordination are the main symptoms of DCD.
Children may have difficulties:
A child with DCD may appear awkward and clumsy as they may bump into objects, drop things and fall over a lot.
But this in itself isn't necessarily a sign of DCD, as many childrenwho appear clumsy actually have all the normal movement (motor) skills for their age.
Some children with DCD may also become less fit than other children as their poor performance in sport may result in them being reluctant to exercise.
As well as difficulties related to movement and co-ordination, children with DCD can also have a range of other problems, such as:
Butalthoughchildren with DCD may have poor co-ordination and some of these additional problems, other aspects of development for example, thinking and talking are usually unaffected.
Children with DCD may also have other conditions, such as:
Some children with DCD have difficulty co-ordinating the movements required to produce clear speech.
Read about developmental co-ordination disorder (DCD), also known as dyspraxia, a condition that affects physical co-ordination.
Read about symptoms of developmental co-ordination disorder (DCD) in children, also known as dyspraxia.
Talk to your GP, health visitor or special educational needs co-ordinator (SENCO) if you think your child has developmental co-ordination disorder (DCD).
Read about treating developmental co-ordination disorder (DCD). Although it can't be cured, there are ways your child can be helped to manage their problems.