Diagnostic challenge and importance of the clinical approach of the developmental coordination disorder

Abstract

The developmental coordination disorder is a common neurodevelopmental condition about which health professionals know very little. Consequently, children often go undiagnosed andarerarelytreated.Anupdatedsynthesisofthe topic is presented to provide recommendations for the diagnosis and treatment from the perspective of the clinician and from a public health approach. Theories explaining motor difficulties present in this disorder are briefly included.Clinicalfeaturesandreasonsrendering the diagnosis difficult are described as follows. Some of the existing recommendations are underscored and tools that could be used for the evaluation are described. Finally, treatment approaches for these children are determined considering that the disorder affects not only the child’s motor performance, but also his or heracademic,socialandemotionalperformance and even his or her physical health.