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Located in Shenton Park & Hillarys

Developmental Coordination Disorder

DCD is diagnosed by a paediatrician and is a motor skills disorder that affects five to six percent of all school-aged children. DCD occurs when a delay in the development of motor skills, or difficulty coordinating movements, results in a child being unable to perform common, everyday tasks. By definition, children with DCD do not have an identifiable medical or neurological condition that explains their coordination problems.

Our therapists will carry out a formal assessment of your child including assessing motor,  sensory and perceptual abilities and skills. Treatment will focus on improving your child’s motor abilities. Treatment may include:

  • Practising gross motor skills  such as walking, running, hopping
  • Practising fine motor skills such as threading, buttons, writing, drawing tying, cutting and food preparation.
  • Daily task training
  • Task-oriented training
  • Balance activities
  • Coordination skills e.g. throwing and catching ball
  • Strengthening activities to improve movement control
  • Activities to improve postural control
  • Gross and fine motor therapy groups
  • Advice and education to parents and teachers
  • Liaison and referral with other health professionals such as OT’s and speech therapists
  • Advice on appropriate equipment to improve abilities