Causes and Symptoms of DCD
DCD is very heterogeneous in nature (Banhart et al., 2003). Numerous theories about the causes have been discussed in the literature, however, it is impossible to offer a definitive answer about the precise causality (Missiuna et al., 2006). It is believed that the cause of DCD is part of the continuum of cerebral palsy. It is believed to occur after a prenatal, perinatal or neonatal insult or after neuronal damage at the cellular level in the neurotransmitter or receptor systems. It has also been proposed that DCD is caused by parts of the brain having undergone immature development. This leads to incorrect motor neurons development and consequently, a decrease in nerve cell connections. If motor neurons cannot form proper connections, the brain will take much longer to process information. (Hendrickx, 2009).
Difficulties that children experience can result from a combination of one or more impairments in proprioception, motor programming, timing or sequencing of muscle activity (Banhart et al., 2003).
Therefore, the brains of young children are underdeveloped, and information is not capable of being fully processed (Boon, 2010). As depicted on the left, children usually learn by integrating sensory information from a variety of different sources. This allows them to be connected with their environment. Children with DCD have difficulty processing information from various sources, causing a delay in their ability to learn (Boon, 2010). Ayres (1985) also suggested that difficulties in coordination occur due to sensory integrative dysfunction, where the child is unable to integrate sensory or perceptual motor information. It is clear that several hypothesis have been proposed to explain DCD, but a clear mechanism has yet to be defined.
Symptoms
DCD involves a broad range of symptoms that can change from day to day. As illustrated on the right, DCD symptoms can be split up into six different domains; gross motor skills, fine motor skills, concentration, communication, classroom difficulties and finally organization. When looking at gross motor skills, deficits include difficulties in large movements such as poor balance and posture due to weak muscle tone, hand eye coordination, lack of rhythm, and clumsy gait (Hendrickx, 2009). Symptoms that are caused by fine motor skills include difficulties in small movements such as lack of manual dexterity, manipulative skills and grasping objects (Hendrickx, 2009). As depicted in the figure, individuals experience difficulty with concentration, where they are easily distracted and have limited focus. In terms of communication, individuals may experience unclear speech or uncontrolled pitch. Individuals with DCD also have classroom difficulties, where they are affected by background noise and have problem with note- taking. Finally, individuals with DCD typically have poor organizational skills; where they have difficulties planning and rely on visual reminders.
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- What is Dyspraxia? Roxanna Kuperman