Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 25, 2026
Involving Individuals with Developmental Language Disorder and Their Parents/Carers in Research Priority Setting
Published on: June 6, 2020
[Diagnostic challenge and importance of the clinical approach of the Developmental Coordination Disorder]
1Departamento de Kinesiología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, ciudad de Santiago, Chile. lisseth@uchile.cl.
Insights
Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) is a common neurodevelopmental condition often missed by health professionals. This synthesis offers updated diagnostic and treatment recommendations for clinicians and public health, addressing motor, academic, and emotional impacts.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Pediatrics
- Developmental Psychology
Background:
- Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) is a prevalent neurodevelopmental condition.
- Limited professional knowledge contributes to underdiagnosis and undertreatment of DCD.
- DCD significantly impacts children's motor, academic, social, emotional, and physical health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide an updated synthesis of DCD for clinicians and public health.
- To offer recommendations for the diagnosis and treatment of DCD.
- To highlight theories explaining motor difficulties in DCD.
Main Methods:
- Review and synthesis of existing literature on DCD.
- Description of clinical features and diagnostic challenges.
- Evaluation of current recommendations and diagnostic tools.
- Determination of comprehensive treatment approaches.
Main Results:
- Identified key clinical features and reasons for diagnostic difficulty in DCD.
- Underscored existing diagnostic recommendations and evaluation tools.
- Outlined treatment strategies addressing the multifaceted impact of DCD.
- Provided a framework for both clinical and public health approaches to DCD.
Conclusions:
- Improved understanding and updated recommendations are crucial for effective DCD diagnosis and treatment.
- A holistic approach is necessary, considering the wide-ranging effects of DCD on a child's life.
- Enhanced clinical knowledge and public health strategies can improve outcomes for children with DCD.
Abstract:
The developmental coordination disorder is a common neurodevelopmental condition about which health professionals know very little. Consequently, children often go undiagnosed and are rarely treated. An updated synthesis of the topic is presented to provide recommendations for the diagnosis and treatment from the perspective of the clinician and from a public health approach. Theories explaining motor difficulties present in this disorder are briefly included. Clinical features and reasons rendering the diagnosis difficult are described as follows. Some of the existing recommendations are underscored and tools that could be used for the evaluation are described. Finally, treatment approaches for these children are determined considering that the disorder affects not only the child's motor performance, but also his or her academic, social and emotional performance and even his or her physical health.
Related Concept Videos
01:19Pericarditis II: Clinical Features and Diagnostic Tests
01:27Atherosclerosis II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Tests
01:21Aneurysm II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies
01:27Myocarditis II: Clinical Features and Diagnostic Tests
01:27Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM)
01:29Theoretical Approaches to Psychological Disorder
Biological approach
The biological approach posits that internal, organic factors are the primary causes of such disorders. This perspective emphasizes brain structure and function, genetic predispositions, and neurotransmitter imbalances. For example, schizophrenia has been associated with both genetic...