REQUEST A CALLBACK
Request a call back using the form below and a member of our team will be in touch in due course.
Developmental Co-ordination Disorder ‘DCD’ Assessment Clinic
Developmental Co-ordination Disorder (DCD) (also known as Dyspraxia) is a condition that affects physical/motor co-ordination. DCD occurs in childhood, but can cause continued problems into adulthood.
Early developmental skills such as crawling, feeding, dressing and walking can be delayed in children with DCD.
DCD can cause a wide range of difficulties – some of which may be evident at an early age, while others may only become obvious as your child develops. Although DCD does not affect cognitive ability, DCD can make learning more difficult for a child, especially when having to produce written work, so they may need extra support and resources at School.
What ‘signs’ might there be that my child has DCD?
- Delay in reaching typical developmental milestones
- Displaying unusual body positions/ postures during their first year
- Difficulty playing with toys that require good co-ordination e.g. building bricks, Lego
- Difficulty learning and using cutlery
- May appear ‘clumsy’ – drops things, bumps into things frequently, falls over regularly
- Problems with dressing themselves (age appropriate) such as fastening buttons, zips and laces
- Difficulties with running, jumping, hopping, throwing and catching, kicking a ball
- Difficulties walking up and down stairs
- Problems drawing, writing, using scissors
- Difficulties keeping still
Diagnosis & Assessment
Our DCD Clinic at Psychology Associates includes a Paediatrician and a Specialist Occupational Therapist (OT) who provide a joint assessment for a possible diagnosis to be made. A typical assessment will involve the Specialist OT undertaking some specialist standardised assessment ‘tools’ which will look at areas including motor signs and a Paediatrician consultation with parents/carers to understand the child’s development history and other key information.
All assessments will include the referrer (parents/carers) being provided with a written report compiled by both the Paediatrician and the Specialist OT outlining findings and recommendations.
The report and diagnosis, where relevant, can be provided to the young person’s School and (where suitable) other health, education and social care professionals to enable better systemic support.
Referral
Parents/Carers can refer a young person to our DCD clinic by contacting us either via email enquiry@psychologyassociates.org.uk or calling us on 0300 303 5233.
All children and young people between the ages of 5-16 can be referred to our DCD clinic. Please note, the young person (with a responsible parent/carer/guardian) will need to attend our offices in Saltash for an ‘in person’ assessment.
For more information please download our information leaflet here.
