Developmental coordination disorder: what is it?

This paper begins with a discussion of the historical basis for the concept of developmental coordination disorder (DCD). The definition of this disorder as it appears in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders IV (DSM-IV) is then provided. The four diagnostic criteria proposed by the DSM-IV are used to describe the disorder. Problems associated with the assessment of DCD are discussed and suggestions for further research are identified. This is followed by a discussion of intervention approaches that can be used with children identified with DCD.