DCD is a common developmental condition disorder affecting fine and gross motor coordination in children and adults. It is variable how much DCD effects a person and abilities can change over time depending on environmental demands and life experience.
Diagnosis is given by a Paediatrician where children have difficulties with motor performance which is substantially below expected levels, given the child’s chronological age. These difficulties significantly and persistently interfere with activities of daily living or academic achievement, which cannot be better explained by a physical, intellectual or sensory impairment.
The term Dyspraxia was previously used to describe a DCD diagnosis. It can be seen through difficulties in every activities such as; planning, organising and carrying out movement in the right order, in everyday situations. E.g. dressing, completing fastenings, handwriting struggles, cutlery use.
Dos and Don’ts
Do these things
- Start them off with the activity if needed, then let them finish for example start putting on their sock then let them finish.
- Break tasks down into smaller manageable parts and practice them regularly.
- Slowly increase the difficulty level of the task as they show improvement e.g. expecting them to do more, using small items such as t-shirt sized buttons.
- Use hand over hand technique to guide their hands and show them the action they need to take.
- Make learning skills fun for your child. Try use toys/activities they enjoy such as playdough or using games such as throwing hoops onto cones.
- Allow extra time
- Give lots of praise and prise success
- Use repetition
- Practice recommended activities when there is more time available, ie after school, evenings, weekends, holidays
Do not do these things
- Step in too quickly, let your child complete the activity how they think they should, before assisting them.
- Rush when you practice skills with your child, choose a time when you can dedicate your attention to your child.
Try to make ‘stop, plan, do check’ a habit
Stop: Ask child to think and plan before starting tasks
Plan: Ask child how are you going to do the task?
Do: Allow your child to do the task, if they need help give them prompts to think back to their plan
Check: Help your child to think of what they did right, and where they went wrong.
Activities to support motor skills
- Obstacle courses, playground equipment, park, soft play.
- Mazes, dot-to-dots, colouring, activity books, writing, drawing, touch typing, cutting, origami.
- Playdoh, space putty, plasticine. Practicing buttons, laces, zips, ties
- Swimming, gymnastics, karate, dancing, yoga,
- Throwing and catching, skittles, target games, hopscotch, action songs, star jumps, trampoline, skipping.
- Home help e.g. Cooking, hanging washing & gardening.
- Space hoppers, riding balance bikes, scooters, wheelbarrow walks.
- Construction toys e.g. Lego, Duplo, Mecano.
- Puzzles, threading, board games.