Developmental coordination disorder and stereotypic movement disorder
- Disorder
Two childhood motor disorders: unusual clumsiness that gets in the way of daily tasks, and repeated rhythmic movements such as rocking or hand flapping.
What it is
Developmental coordination disorder (DCD) is poor learning and performance of coordinated movement that makes tasks such as handwriting hard and is not explained by intellectual disability, visual impairment or another medical condition such as cerebral palsy. Stereotypic movement disorder is repetitive, patterned, purposeless movement, such as body rocking or hand movements, that usually begins before age 3. DCD does not get worse but most often continues into adulthood; stereotypies can occur in otherwise healthy children, tend to improve during childhood and need treatment only when they reduce quality of life.
Key facts
- A neurological examination helps exclude cerebral palsy and muscular dystrophy; creatine kinase may be checked.
- Babies later diagnosed with DCD may have been late to sit, crawl and walk, and some had sucking and swallowing problems in the first year.
- School-age children with DCD may struggle with handwriting and sports and be teased, which hurts self-esteem; using a computer for notes can help.
- Stereotypies are usually comforting and enjoyable for the child, unlike the discomfort that comes before tics.
Clumsy or repetitive movement: the differential
| Condition | Movement pattern | Key clue |
|---|---|---|
| Developmental coordination disorder | Slow, imprecise, clumsy skilled movement | Other medical and neurological causes excluded |
| Cerebral palsy | Abnormal tone and posture from early brain injury | Excluded by the neurological examination |
| Muscular dystrophy | Muscle weakness | Excluded by examination; creatine kinase may be checked |
| Stereotypic movement disorder | Rhythmic rocking or hand movements | Begins before age 3; stops with distraction; no urge beforehand |
| Tic disorders and Tourette syndrome | Sudden, brief, nonrhythmic movements or sounds | Premonitory urge, brief suppression, onset around ages 4 to 6 |
| Autism spectrum disorder | Stereotypies plus social communication deficits | Restricted interests and social difficulties |
Clinical notes
- Do a neurological examination and exclude other causes, such as cerebral palsy or muscular dystrophy, before diagnosing DCD.
- Interventions that practise the actual tasks the child needs, such as CO-OP, are favoured over sensory-based approaches.
- At school, using a computer for note-taking can help, and physical education keeps the child active.
- Most stereotypies need only reassurance and explanation; when they reduce quality of life, habit-reversal training or response interruption and redirection can help.
- Medicines are usually not effective for stereotypies.
Test yourself
Think of the answer, then tap the question to see it.
What must be excluded before diagnosing developmental coordination disorder?
Intellectual disability, visual impairment and other medical or neurological conditions, such as cerebral palsy or muscular dystrophy.
How do stereotypies differ from tics?
Stereotypies start earlier, are rhythmic and patterned and stop with distraction; tics start later, are sudden and nonrhythmic and follow an urge that can be suppressed briefly.
What is the main treatment for developmental coordination disorder?
Task-specific motor training that practises the skills the child needs, such as CO-OP, with school supports such as using a computer for notes.
Elsewhere in DurgiPedia
- Pediatric history: perinatal, growth, development and vaccines
- Growth and development monitoring in children
Connections
Educational content on behavior and the clinical relationship; not a diagnostic or treatment guide and no substitute for assessment by a health professional. If you or someone near you is at risk, seek help now from an emergency service or a mental-health helpline.
Sources: Developmental coordination disorder (MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 2024); Tic Disorders and Tourette Syndrome in Children and Adolescents (MSD Manual Professional Edition, 2026); Assessment, diagnosis, and management of developmental coordination disorder (Paediatrics & Child Health (PubMed Central), 2021); A Comprehensive Review of Tic Disorders in Children (Journal of Clinical Medicine (PubMed Central), 2021).
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