DCD Assessment

DCD (Developmental Co-ordination Disorder or Dyspraxia) refers to a neurodevelopmental condition that affects a child's ability to develop and co-ordinate motor skills effectively.

Children with DCD often struggle with simple tasks such as tying shoelaces, handwriting, or catching a ball. This disorder is not related to other causes such as muscular weakness or cognitive impairment, making it a unique challenge for affected individuals. DCD can have a significant impact on a child's daily life, leading to difficulties in activities requiring coordination, balance, and precision. DCD can also affect things like spatial awareness and organisation and planning.

Early detection, intervention, and support from healthcare professionals can play a crucial role in helping children with DCD navigate and overcome these challenges, ultimately improving their overall quality of life. DCD improves with the right practice and support and educational support can mean every child reaches their potential.

Guidance for DCD diagnosis

There are no specific NICE guidelines for the diagnosis and management of DCD as yet.

The NHS recommends, for a diagnosis of DCD to be made, your child will usually need to meet all of the following criteria:

  • Their motor skills are significantly below the level expected for their age and opportunities they have had to learn and use these skills

  • Their lack of motor skill significantly and persistently affects their day-to-day activities and achievements at school

  • Their symptoms first developed during an early stage of their development

  • Their lack of motor skills isn't better explained by long-term delay in all areas (general learning disability) or rare medical conditions, such as cerebral palsy or muscular dystrophy

Although DCD may be suspected in the pre-school years, it's not possible to make a definite diagnosis before a child is aged 5.

The DSM-V, also known as the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, is a comprehensive and widely used classification system for disorders. It provides guidelines and criteria to help clinicians diagnose and classify various conditions.

The DSM-V 315.4 criteria can also be used to plot the child’s profile against and demonstrate whether they meet the criteria for a diagnosis of developmental coordination disorder.

DCD Assessment Process

Step 1:

Paediatric Assessment

Information is gathered about the child, any concerns, past mA consultation is arranged to discuss concerns, medical background and development of your child.

Step 2:

Physical Examination

A simple, fun and child friendly examination is carried out. Looking at the Childs physical health, neurological and musculoskeletal systems.

Step 3:

Occupational Therapy Assessment

Your child will need to be seen by an occupational therapist to complete the diagnosis. You may have already had this done or it may need to be arranged through the NHS or private providers.

Step 4:

Feedback

A session will be arranged to discuss the findings of the assessments and whether the diagnostic criteria are reached.

What Happens At an Assessment?

The whole process is child led, your child will be encouraged to share their experiences and participate as much as they wish.

We will talk through concerns, educational progress, medical and family history. Information will be gathered on your Childs development from birth to now and specific symptoms.

Any existing reports or assessments completed on your child are used to inform the process.

The consulting room is a relaxing environment that doesn’t feel medical at all.

What Happens After an Assessment?

Following the feedback session, the reports will be compiled and shared with you securely via email.

There is the opportunity to review the report to ensure you are happy with it, it will then be shared with your child’s GP. You are welcome to share the report with nursery, school or other professionals involved in your child’s care.

Included with the final reports is the invoice. This is payable by bank transfer within 28 days. If card payment is preferred this can be arranged and a card link will be sent. All major debit and credit cards are accepted. It is possible to pay by instalments leading up to or following the assessment, please ask for this to be arranged.

Developmental Co-ordination Disorder Assessment Cost

DCD Assessment: from £600

This package includes:

  • A neurodevelopmental assessment

  • Gathering all of the home and school based information

  • Physical examination

  • Feedback

Additional assessment from a specialist speech and language therapist may be recommended. This can be completed within the NHS or private colleagues.

Developmental Assessment: £325

For children age under 5, this assessment package includes:

  • Gathering all of the home and nursery based information (where applicable)

  • Physical examination

  • Schedule of Growing Skills II developmental assessment

  • Feedback and recommendations

Additional assessments from allied health professionals like a specialist speech and language therapist, occupational therapist or physiotherapist may be recommended. This can be completed within the NHS or private colleagues.

Combined Assessment: £1,850

If you are concerned that autism may be present with other conditions or just aren’t sure it may be worth completing assessments for a range of conditions at the same time.

This package includes:

  • A neurodevelopmental assessment

  • Gathering all of the home and school based information

  • ADOS assessment

  • ADHD questionnaires

  • Qbcheck assessment

  • Feedback

Payment terms: You will receive an invoice with the final reports. This is payable by bank transfer within 28 days. If card payment is preferred this can be arranged and a card link will be sent. All major debit and credit cards are accepted. It is possible to pay by instalments leading up to or following the assessment, please ask for this to be arranged. Dr Sarah Mills is registered with health insurance providers, please contact us to discuss your requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • DCD and autism are separate conditions but do share some similar characteristics. People can have both autism and DCD and it is important that both diagnoses are given where appropriate, to enable a full understanding of a person's needs.

  • DCD can present as:

    Problems with sucking and swallowing during first year of life. Children might be slow to develop their motor skills.

    Problems with gross motor coordination (for example, jumping, hopping, or standing on one foot)

    Problems with visual or fine motor coordination (for example, writing, using scissors, tying shoelaces, or tapping one finger to another)

  • DCD is more common in boys than in girls. Children don't outgrow it, but they can improve their motor skills. DCD isn't a specific learning disability like dyslexia or dyscalculia . It's considered a neurodevelopmental disorder, like ADHD.

  • Some examples of team sports which may be helpful children with DCD include:

    Football

    Rounders or Baseball

    Basketball

    Hockey

  • A child with DCD may appear awkward and clumsy as they may bump into objects, drop things and fall over a lot. They will also struggle with planning and carrying out motor tasks.

    A clumsy child will also bump into things but will have all the normal movement (motor) skills for their age.

  • A child with dyspraxia may experience a number of different problems at school, including finding difficulty in handwriting, problems with moving a mouse, navigating a keyboard or manipulating a touch-screen, and struggle to perform some of the movements required for physical education.

  • Knowing why a child has motor difficulties is important, particularly as it can improve with exercises and support. Without recognition a child can suffer from low self esteem, perform less well in school assessments and not meet their potential.

  • DCD is thought to affect 5-6% of primary school children.

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