There are many different terms used to describe co-ordination difficulties: developmental co-ordination disorder (DCD), dyspraxia, perceptual-motor dysfunction and clumsy child syndrome. They all describe an impairment of movement and co-ordination. Children with these problems often have difficulty processing information from their sensory systems (eg vision, hearing, speech and balance). As a result, they find it hard to learn motor skills. They may also have problems with writing, organising their thoughts and language.

A child may experience any or a number of the following problems:

• delay in reaching their milestones such as sitting, crawling, standing and walking,
• poor balance and a difficulty standing on one leg, hopping or jumping,
• difficulty with ball activities such as throwing, catching, kicking,
• a dislike or difficulty with PE lessons,
• an inability or difficulty riding a bicycle
• often bumping into people or falling or tripping
• an inability to sit still
• difficulty using a knife and fork or a messy eater
• difficulty organising dressing and undressing, often putting clothes on back-to-front
• immature writing and drawing ability, delay in developing hand dominance
• difficulty with copying text from a book or blackboard
• difficulty carrying out instructions
• difficulty with organising themselves
• poor concentration and easily distracted
• they may be a loner and have difficulty with social skills
• they may be disruptive in class
• they may appear to not try or make an effort with tasks

Although DCD is not curable, children often improve dramatically with appropriate treatment. KidsPhysio will assess your child’s particular difficulties before planning a treatment programme. This may include exercises and games to strengthen weak muscles and improve motor skills.

KidsPhysio will also assess your child’s ability to take in, sort out and process the information from the environment. We will look at whether your child is/has:

• over or under sensitive to touch, movement, sights, or sounds
• under-reactive to sensory stimulation (body whirling or crashing)
• an activity level that is unusually high or unusually low
• poor organisation of behaviour (impulsive, distractible, frustrated, aggressive)
• poor self-concept (may appear lazy, bored, or unmotivated)

This ability to process the environment is ‘sensory integration’. You can download a sensory integration questionnaire from here.