Your Child's 'Clumsiness' Could Be A Sign Of An Underlying Condition

A little known condition is thought to impact 5% of UK children – yet you might not have heard of it.Developmental coordination disorder (DCD), also known as dyspraxia, is a neurodevelopmental condition which impacts a person’s coordination skills.Kids with DPD might have difficulties with jumping, running, catching or kicking a ball, using stairs, getting dressed and keeping still. Despite the high numbers of children affected (it’s just as common as ADHD), a new study revealed severe shortcomings in the recognition, diagnosis and support for young people with the condition.What did the study find?The Impact of Developmental Coordination Disorder in the UK study revealed long waits for diagnosis; inconsistent or unavailable therapy; and challenges at school, home, and in daily life for kids with DPD.Families described high emotional stress, limited public understanding, and a lack of coordinated care.Despite recognition at home, many parents reported that formal diagnoses do little to improve support, leaving children struggling academically, socially and psychologically.Beyond motor difficulties, the condition is linked to elevated risks of anxiety, low physical activity, and social isolation.The report warned that without urgent intervention and systemic reform, thousands of children will miss out on the support they need to thrive.What are the signs of DCD in children?Early developmental milestones of crawling, walking, self-feeding and dressing may be delayed in very young children with DCD.Young kids with dyspraxia might also:show unusual body positions during their first year,have difficulty stacking bricks,struggle to eat with cutlery.In older children, drawing, writing and performance in sports are usually behind what is expected for their age.They might also have difficulty with:playground activities such as hopping, jumping, running, and catching or kicking a ball,walking up and down stairs,using scissors,doing up buttons and tying shoelaces,keeping still (they may swing or move their arms and legs a lot),clumsiness (they might bump into objects, drop things and fall over a lot).If a child is showing a few of the above signs it’s worth speaking to your GP about getting a referral to your local Child Development Centre.The NHS states a definite diagnosis of DCD does not usually happen until a child with the condition is five years old or more.Lead author Dr Charikleia Sinani, senior lecturer in physiotherapy at York St John University, said: “DCD isn’t just about ‘clumsiness’. It affects a child’s confidence, mental health, ability to participate, and long-term wellbeing, yet we see most families feel isolated and unsupported.”She said the latest report is a “wake-up call to include DCD in the neurodiversity conversation as a serious and common neurodevelopmental condition”.According to Dyspraxia UK, the condition is often found together with hyper mobile joints, dyslexia, dyscalculia, ADHD or Asperger’s Syndrome – so early diagnosis is important. Related...Psychologist Shares 5 Telltale Signs Of Dyslexia In ChildrenRSD May Be 'Common' With ADHD – Here Are Its Symptoms10 Early Signs Of ADHD In Toddlers Experts Want Parents To Know

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