236: DEVELOPMENTAL COORDINATION DISORDER

CONDITION/DISORDER SYNONYMS

• DCD

• Clumsy child syndrome

• Motor dyspraxia

• Developmental dyspraxia

• Sensory integrative dysfunction

• Disorder of attention, motor, and perception

• Minor coordination dysfunction

ICD-9-CM CODE

• 315.4 Developmental coordination disorder

ICD-10-CM CODE

• F82 Specific developmental disorder of motor function

PREFERRED PRACTICE PATTERN

• 5C: Impaired Motor Function and Sensory Integrity Associated with Nonprogressive Disorders of the Central Nervous System—Congenital Origin or Acquired in Infancy or Childhood ¹

KEY FEATURES

Description

• Difficulty performing complex gross or fine motor-coordination tasks

Essentials of Diagnosis

• No cognitive or neurological dysfunction

General Considerations

• Four criteria

  • Difficulty performing age-appropriate motor skills

  • Child has had sufficient opportunity to attain motor skills

  • No medical reason for motor difficulty

  • Difficulties impact academics or ADLs

Demographics

• Fifty percent of children with developmental coordination disorder (DCD) also have ADHD^{2, 3}

• Affects 5% to 6% of all children⁴

• Affects twice as many males as females⁴

CLINICAL FINDINGS

Functional Implications

• Falls or trips often

• Bumps into objects, other people

• Difficulty using motor skills in new settings

Possible Contributing Causes

• Premature birth⁴

Differential Diagnosis

• Head injury

• Progressive neurological disorder

• Brain tumor

• Autism

• Pervasive developmental disorder⁷

• Cerebral palsy^8,9

• Visual disturbances

MEANS OF CONFIRMATION OR DIAGNOSIS

Diagnostic Procedures

• Parent–teacher questionnaires: Connors, Burks

• Psychological testing

• IQ testing

• Developmental and Psychosocial evaluation

TREATMENT

Medication

• None for DCD

• Medications available for ADHD

  • Methylphenidate drugs

  • Amphetamines

  • Dexmethylphenidate

  • Dextroamphetamine

  • Lisdexamfetamine