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Developmental coordination disorder
Other Resources UpToDate PubMed

Developmental coordination disorder

Contributors: Eric Ingerowski MD, FAAP, Richard L. Barbano MD, PhD
Other Resources UpToDate PubMed

Synopsis

Developmental coordination disorder (DCD) is a common pediatric neurodevelopmental motor disorder described in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) that results in clumsy, slow, and uncoordinated gross and/or fine motor movements (dyspraxia) as well as difficulty learning new movements that is not better explained by an intellectual, psychological, visual, or neurologic condition. Symptoms of motor delays must begin during a child's development (most frequently noted around age 5 years), and the symptoms cannot better explained by another diagnosis. If an intellectual disability is present, the motor delays are in excess of what would be expected for the intellectual disability. DCD is thought to be caused by abnormal functioning of brain areas involved in motor processing.

DCD is seen in 5%-6% of children, and symptoms may persist into adulthood. Symptoms of DCD include poor balance and coordination, clumsiness, and impaired fine and gross motor skills. This often negatively affects activities of daily living (ADLs), including dressing, tying shoes, and self-care, as well as activities such as writing. DCD is often seen with other disorders, including attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism language disorders, dyslexia, and sensory disorders, and is more common in people with left-hand dominance or mixed-hand dominance.

Treatments are aimed at maximizing functional abilities and may include physical therapy, occupational therapy, aquatic therapy, and the use of elastic therapeutic tape (kinesiology tape), as well as executive functioning and perceptual functioning training.

Codes

ICD10CM:
F82 – Specific developmental disorder of motor function

SNOMEDCT:
27544004 – Developmental coordination disorder

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Last Reviewed:03/15/2026
Last Updated:03/16/2026
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Developmental coordination disorder
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