Navigating DCD diagnosis & intervention

Getting a diagnosis and finding the right support for your child can be tricky. We break the process down for you here.

Getting a DCD diagnosis for your child can feel like solving a complicated puzzle. The lack of knowledge about DCD makes obtaining a diagnosis difficult. You’re led down winding paths that hit dead ends – it’s frustrating. 

In many countries, there is no standardised process for diagnosing DCD, often resulting in misdiagnoses or delayed diagnoses, sometimes years after the first symptoms appear. The inconsistent terminology, such as "DCD" versus "dyspraxia," adds to the confusion. 

The challenges with diagnosis and intervention have far-reaching impacts. At DCD Kids, we are advocating for more awareness around DCD (and clarity around dyspraxia diagnosis) so families can get answers earlier and access the support they need.

How to get a DCD diagnosis

Children are usually not formally diagnosed with DCD until after 5 years old when motor problems are more noticeable. But if you notice signs earlier, you can still seek out support. 

So, what do you do if you’re concerned about your child’s development?

Here are five steps based on what we have learned as parents of children with DCD:

1. Observe your child’s motor skills

The more information you have, the better. Take note of the difficulties your child is experiencing. Record videos so you can demonstrate your concerns to a professional.

2. See qualified health professionals

An occupational therapist, physiotherapist and/or neuropsychologist can assess your child's motor development based on diagnosis criteria and recommend DCD motor skills intervention.

3. See a medical specialist

In many countries, you must also see a paediatrician for a formal diagnosis of DCD, along with your qualified health professional. DCD symptoms overlap with other neurodevelopmental conditions, so it’s important to rule these out. 

Unfortunately, some health professionals are not adequately educated on DCD, so choosing a doctor may take a little research. Ask health professionals about their DCD knowledge, chat with friends or head to the DCD Kids Facebook page. Our community may be able to recommend health professionals in your area. You can also provide doctors with a Toolkit for Pediatricians.

4. Seek support at school 

A psycho-educational assessment with an educational psychologist can be valuable for school-age children. School districts often provide this service, or you can seek recommendations through your network for private practitioners.

5. Have a team-based approach

DCD requires support from multiple angles. Seeking out more than one professional to support your family may be necessary. Finding the right people may take some time, but it’s possible. Don’t give up!

Accessing DCD support

So you’ve got a DCD diagnosis. What now?

In DCD Australia’s “Impact for DCD” report completed in Australia, two out of three families reported that they did not feel the current level of therapy was sufficient.

This tells us that, much like getting a diagnosis, supporting your child with DCD takes a village. But don’t worry, it’s a small one!

Therapeutic treatment

Occupational therapy is the primary intervention for DCD, specifically evidence-based approaches like Cognitive Orientation to Occupational Performance (CO-OP), Neuromotor Task Training (NTT), and AOMI (Action Observation and Motor Imagery). Occupational therapists will work on fine motor skills intervention through targeted activities, setting achievable goals, and developing strategies for daily tasks, play, and education.

Physical treatment

Physiotherapy can complement occupational therapy. This therapy focuses on improving muscle tone, strength, and coordination. Exercise physiology is another option, focusing on playground activities, sports participation, and general physical fitness. Physical literacy programs help children learn skills and behaviours to lead active lives.

Support at school

Supporting your child’s learning means working closely with teachers and therapists to create optimum learning environments, e.g. alternative activities, additional working time, and rest breaks. Unfortunately, many educators are still unfamiliar with DCD, which can add to your mental load. Through awareness and advocacy, we’re hoping to change that. We recommend giving teachers handouts by DCD Australia or CanChild so they can begin their own research.

Emotional support

DCD can negatively impact a child’s mental health. As a parent, we can build confidence by celebrating the small wins. If your child is experiencing anxiety or their symptoms are contributing to isolation, seeing a psychologist or counsellor may be a wise move. Remember, you need support too! Chatting with other families who are experiencing similar challenges can be invaluable. Join our Facebook group to connect with other parents.

Support at home

Adjusting your home environment may be necessary depending on what your child finds challenging.  Making therapy exercises fun can help take the pressure off. Breaking complex tasks into smaller, manageable steps can also help. Routine is helpful so your child gets into a rhythm and feels safe to learn continuously. There are many ways to support your child at home, but it’s best to collaborate with your therapist to find out what works best for your family.

Support for parents

Parenting a child with DCD can feel overwhelming. You’re juggling all the usual responsibilities of parenthood while trying to connect your child with quality support so they can live their best life.

We've been there, too! That's why we’re here – to remind you that you’re doing a great job and your mental well-being is just as important as those around you.

Learn more about DCD

  • DCD AUSTRALIA

    A not-for-profit working to improve the lives of children, adults and families affected by DCD, with accessible research.

    LEARN MORE

  • UNDERSTOOD

    Easy-to-read articles on DCD and how it impacts children and short video tutorials to help kids with everyday motor tasks.

    LEARN MORE

  • CANCHILD

    Online workshops and helpful DCD resources to share with educators, coaches and therapists to grow awareness.

    LEARN MORE

FAQS

  • An occupational therapist will observe your child’ motor skills based on the DCD diagnosis criteria. According to the DSM-5 (American Psychiatric Association), four criteria must be met:

    • Criterion A: Movement skills are substantially below what is expected for the individual's age and opportunities for learning and use.

    • Criterion B: Movement difficulties significantly and persistently interfere with daily living activities, impacting school productivity, vocational or pre-vocational tasks, leisure, and play.

    • Criterion C: Movement difficulties have been present since early childhood.

    • Criterion D: The movement difficulties are not better explained by intellectual delay, visual impairment, or other neurological conditions affecting movement, such as cerebral palsy or muscular dystrophy (DCD Australia).

  • DCD is officially diagnosed after age 5, but signs may appear earlier. If you notice movement difficulties in your child, you can seek early support from healthcare professionals. Early intervention can begin before a diagnosis, and your child can receive therapy and support while being monitored for DCD.

  • Yes! Based on our own experience supporting a child with DCD, we can suggest:

    • Connect with your family doctor to rule out other possible causes of motor skill challenges in early childhood, and ask about being monitored for DCD.

    • Ask your family doctor to connect you to public health resources in your area.

    • Look for parent-child centres in your area. These may have helpful resources and programs you can access.

    • Research government programs for early childhood development, such as StrongStart in British Columbia.

    • Contact your local Centre for Ability and ask about drop-in clinics or motor skill programs.

  • Open up the conversation. A good doctor should guide you thereafter. If your doctor isn’t aware of DCD, you can direct them to the Toolkit for Pediatricians, which will help them determine if DSM-5 diagnostic criteria have been met. If your doctor is resistant or unwilling to learn about DCD, we encourage you to find a better doctor. Your family deserves support from health professionals around you.

  • The first step is finding out if your educator knows about DCD. If they do, this is a great start! If not, you may need to educate them. CanChild in Canada and DCD Australia have excellent resources for educators, including fact sheets you can pass on. As every child is different, you may need to ask your child’s therapist (occupational therapist in many cases) to liaise with the teacher to develop strategies to support learning in the classroom. You can also ask if the school district has occupational therapists and speech pathologists (many do) who can consult on what changes can be made in the classroom.

Stay informed and get support

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