Developmental Coordination Disorder

Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD), also called Dyspraxia, is a neurodevelopmental disorder that has an adverse effect on the motor development and learning abilities of an individual. The condition is typically diagnosed in childhood but has no particular treatment. Symptoms majorly persist into adolescence and adulthood and can be managed through therapies.
Read on to learn more about Developmental Coordination Disorder causes, Developmental Coordination Disorder treatment, Developmental Coordination Disorder symptoms, and much more.

What is dyspraxia, or developmental coordination disorder?

Dyspraxia, or Developmental Coordination Disorder, is a psychological condition that affects a person throughout his or her life. The problem starts in childhood and negatively affects mobility and coordination. A child suffering from DCD cannot perform basic activities like riding a bike or writing properly. Symptoms are exhibited at an early age and affect multiple aspects of life.

What is the difference between dyspraxia and apraxia?

Experts often use apraxia and dyspraxia interchangeably, but these are two different problems.
Apraxia is a more severe problem with multiple subtypes, like limb-kinetic apraxia and constructional apraxia. There is a complete loss of control over any movement despite understanding the command. DCD, on the other hand, involves only partial difficulty.

Statistics and Facts

Boys and premature children are more prone to dyspraxia. In India, mild dyspraxia affects almost 50% of children, whereas 6% are severe cases. Globally, 5-10% of the population is affected with the disorder, with boys being diagnosed 2-3 times more often.

Common Myths and Misconceptions

Myth 1: Developmental Coordination Disorder is just another form of clumsiness.
Fact 1: False. Kids with DCD have trouble controlling muscles, which might make them seem socially awkward and immature. It is a psychological disorder that can be treated with therapy.

Myth 2: Developmental Coordination Disorder gets treated with age.
Fact 2: False. Treating DCD needs therapy that includes multiple coordination improvement exercises.

Myth 3: Dyspraxia and dysgraphia are the same psychological disorders.
Fact 3: False. Dyspraxia is a disorder that affects fine motor skills. However, dysgraphia is a disorder that involves the inability to organise thoughts, poor handwriting, and producing work that is heavy with errors.

Types of Developmental Coordination Disorder

Here are three main types of Developmental Coordination Disorder:

• Motor Dyspraxia
  This disorder affects fine motor skills like writing or catching habits that require extreme hand-eye coordination. Symptoms of motor dyspraxia are a lack of body awareness, balance issues, and severe clumsiness. Therapists break the tasks into simple steps and improve coordination between different body parts through practice.
• Verbal Dyspraxia
  Verbal dyspraxia causes inconsistent speech, because of which patients are not able to pronounce complicated words. Certain times, patients can pronounce certain words perfectly on some days and are not able to speak out the same sentence or word the next day. Therapists opt for speech therapy and encourage the use of gestures and other alternative methods of communication.
• Oral Dyspraxia
  Patients with oral dyspraxia cannot move their tongue, mouth, and lips in sync to create sounds and words. Some patients find it difficult to perform a single movement or a sequence of movements. Therapists try to treat the problem by practicing certain specific movements to improve coordination over time.

What causes dyspraxia?

• Scientists are unsure about the exact cause of the problem. However, the underdevelopment of neurons is linked to the origin of the problem.
• Due to this improper connection between motor neurons, data processing by the brain gets slower. It affects the coordination and motor skills of an individual.
• This neurone immaturity is likely because of hereditary causes impacting genes.
• Other factors like pregnancy issues, premature birth, and low weight at birth can also lead to the underdevelopment of neurons.

What are the signs and symptoms of dyspraxia (developmental coordination disorder)?

• Older children with DCD struggle with balance and can be found frequently bumping into objects.
• Simple activities like using a pair of scissors or any other activity that needs proper eye-hand coordination cannot be performed.
• Frustration due to the inability to cycle, walk, or move can cause obesity and other joint problems.
• Adults with dyspraxia feel more fatigued than usual due to the extra effort put into performing simple tasks like tying shoelaces, locking up doors, and so on.
• There is a lack of spatial awareness, and an adult with DCD can be seen bumping into other people. Adults do not have a dominant hand, and some also suffer from uncontrolled speech.
• Over- and under-sensitivity to touch is a source of discomfort for patients suffering from DCD. They are either comfortable with baggy clothes or extremely tight clothing and develop tactile defensiveness.

How is dyspraxia treated?

Treating Developmental Coordination Disorder, or Dyspraxia, involves 2 stages. Read on to learn about diagnosing the problem and learning how to treat or manage it.

How is dyspraxia diagnosed?

• Symptoms of dyspraxia are exhibited at an early age but can be overlooked due to developmental variations.
• Various specialists like paediatricians, neurologists, and psychiatrists have to work together to be sure of the diagnosis as symptoms overlap with other psychological disorders.
• There are no scans or X-rays available to diagnose the problem. Inputs from family and teachers are considered to learn about the extent of impaired mobility and lack of coordination.
• Health experts rule out various health conditions while diagnosing dyspraxia. To ensure that the diagnosis is right, they make sure that motor skills are extremely poor and do not originate from other health conditions.

Treatment Options

Here are the three main therapies suggested for treating Developmental Coordination Disorder. These can be stand-alone therapies or even complementary ones depending on the severity of the problem.

• Occupational Therapy
  This therapy aids a patient to develop fine motor skills and perform daily activities normally. Dressing, writing, washing utensils, and other basic activities are enhanced, which enables a person to overcome physical and emotional challenges.
• Language and Speech Therapy
  With language and speech therapy, patients are trained to improve their slurred speech and articulate their words correctly. Repetitive exercises and various communication strategies address oral motor control. This therapy also addresses weak imitation skills and disorganised narration to improve communication and social interaction.
• Physical Therapy
  Physical therapy aims to teach patients suffering from DCD to improve their posture, work on their balance, and enhance their bodily strength. They work on strengthening muscles, enabling them to improve their gross motor skills and enhance their eye-hand coordination.
• Educational Sessions
  Educational training by professional teachers helps students learn better and accommodate well with other batchmates. Development of organisational skills and managing frustration is the aim of the therapy. With educational sessions, teachers, patients, and therapists create a conducive learning environment.
  Additional support is also taken from neurologists and paediatricians. Family and friends are counselled about the problem to prevent the problem from getting worse.
  Medication might be prescribed to those who are suffering anxiety or depression. However, there is no particular medication for treating Developmental Coordination Disorder.

Living with Developmental Coordination Disorder

• Patients lack emotional and appropriate behavioural skill sets. This makes it difficult to act normally in a social setting.
• Communication is impaired, which can cause frustration as the patient is sometimes not able to share his or her feelings.
• Obesity and low self-esteem come with this disorder. Since there is no control over movement, patients might not be able to exercise regularly. This can lead to various types of mood disorders and confidence issues.
• Attending sessions regularly and taking therapy is the only treatment. Maintaining a positive attitude is the key to feeling confident. Regular visits to therapy centres are essential for proper recovery.
• Psychological disorders are like any other physiological disorder. A person can realise his or her full potential with the help of regular therapies and treatment plans. Consistent counselling sessions work most effectively.

How to Support Loved Ones Suffering from Developmental Coordination Disorder?

• Patience is the key to managing symptoms and maintaining relationships with people suffering from Developmental Coordination Disorder.
• Encourage patients to seek therapy and accompany them once they approve. Avoid interfering with their takes until they ask for help.
• Regular pep talks work wonders. Encourage them to adopt a more positive attitude towards life to ensure faster recovery.
• Children must be dealt with empathetically. Properly explaining to them the problem and training them to live life with the help of therapy is essential.
• Family therapies are essential. A supportive environment must be created in which all the members are aware of the problem.
• Awareness regarding accompanying psychological disorders must be generated. Prompt treatment for mood and behavioural disorders must be opted for.

Jagruti Treatment and Recovery

Here are 5 essential features that make Jagruti Rehab Centre the best treatment place for patients in need of physical and psychological rehabilitation:

• Customised Treatment Plan
  Customised treatment plans are offered at Jagruti Rehab Centre. With expert medical and mental health professionals on board, patients are offered the best treatment plans. Since Developmental Coordination Disorder can affect people differently, symptoms and problems are considered separately, and a treatment plan is framed accordingly.
• 24/7 Nursing Staff
  Many patients suffering from Developmental Coordination Disorder may not be able to perform their basic chores independently. The round-the-clock availability of nursing staff makes it easier for patients and their families to opt for a residential treatment plan. Those patients who opt for out-patient programs can also avail of these services.
• Trained Medical and Mental Health Professionals
  Developmental Coordination Disorder cannot be diagnosed and treated by a single specialist. A team of doctors is needed to diagnose the problem, frame a treatment plan, and prescribe medication (if any) according to the symptoms. Jagruti Rehab Centre has empaneled the best medical and mental health professionals to take care of patients.
• Relapse Prevention Programs
  Certain patients have mood disorders and anger issues, which makes them depressed. Developmental Coordination Disorder treatment offered at Jagruti Rehab Centre addresses these psychological problems and ensures there are minimum chances of relapse. Once the treatment is over, patients are called for counselling sessions once or twice a month wherein therapists interview the patient to check for any recurrence of symptoms.
• Latest Technological Tools
  For patients in need of physical therapy and other treatments for mobility improvement, the latest technological equipment is used. Patients are under CCTV surveillance at all times, and entertainment areas have screens for viewing. Balanced and nutritious meals are provided to all, and cultural as well as religious factors are taken into consideration.