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Development Coordination Disorder (DCD)

What is Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD)?

Developmental co-ordination disorder (DCD), also known as dyspraxia, is a condition affecting physical co-ordination that causes a child to perform less well than expected in daily activities for his or her age, and appear to move clumsily.

DCD is thought to be around three or four times more common in boys than girls, and the condition sometimes runs in families.  The condition can also cause continued problems into adulthood. 

Further information can be found on NHS Choices. 

Presenting symptoms of DCD

Early developmental milestones of crawling, walking, self-feeding and dressing may be delayed in young children with DCD, and drawing, writing and performance in sports are usually behind what is expected for their age.

Although signs of the condition are present from an early age, children vary widely in their rate of development, and DCD is not usually definitely diagnosed until a child with the condition is around five years old or more.

When to seek medical advice

Talk to your GP or health visitor – or a nurse, doctor or Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator (SENCO) at your child's school – if you have any concerns about your child's health or development.

If functional difficulties are identified, they or you (parents and carers) will first need to refer your child to the Ealing Paediatric Occupational Therapy for an assessment of your child’s functional performance status. 

In Ealing, Occupational Therapists do not diagnose DCD as this is a medical diagnosis.  Should the assessing occupational therapist observe clinical signs and symptoms, he or she can then make onward referral to the local Child Development Team.  The community paediatrician will then assess your child and investigate further for DCD.

Services in Ealing offering support

Ealing Paediatric Occupational Therapy 

The Ealing Paediatric Occupational Therapy Service is committed to ensure a child and their family are able to function in all aspects of their lives to their maximum potential: self-care (e.g. dressing to go out, eating a meal, using the toilet), productivity / educational attainment (e.g. playing for young children, attending school) and leisure / socialisation (e.g. playing with friends, participating in sports) etc. Occupational Therapists provide advice and support to parents, carers and other professionals involved and work across a range of settings where different occupations occur.

Tel: 0300 1234 544

Email: ealingcommunityreferrals@nhs.net

Child Development Team

The Child Development team are based within ESCAN (Ealing Services for Children with Additional Needs) and comprise of paediatricians and specialist health visitors.  The team assesses and manages children with complex and / severe neurodevelopmental problems including children with coordination difficulties. 

Tel: 0300 1234 544

Email: ealingcommunityreferrals@nhs.net

Contact Ealing

Contact provide advice, information and support to families caring for children and young people aged 0-25, with any disability or additional need, regardless of diagnosis. As well as information, Contact regular workshops and classes on topics that can benefit parents living within the borough, as well as parent support group meetings and condition specific groups for support and the opportunity for parents and carers to meet.

Email:  ealing@contact.org.uk

P.E.S.T.S 

P.E.S.T.S offers a welcome place for parents and carers of children aged 0-5 with a disability, additional or complex need in Ealing. P.E.S.T.s offer advice, support, information and training workshops for parents and carers in a friendly and nurturing setting. The weekly play & support sessions provide carefully structured activities according to each child's need/stage of development, allowing them to flourish in a stimulating and nurturing environment, supervised by experienced staff and volunteers.

Tel: 020 8571 9954

Useful links and resources

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