The Diagnosis and Development of DCD
Diagnosis for DCD usually occurs during childhood (Soriano et al., 2015). Child neurologists, psychiatrists and pediatricians examine the child’s medical conditions. Further, neurologists examine the general neurological function of cranial nerves, motor and sensory systems and the cerebellum. If there is evidence of mental disability, pervasive developmental disorder or severe neurological impairments, a diagnosis other than DCD will be made (Miyahara and Mobs, 1995).
Common diagnosis strategies also include the use of the DSM, which includes four different criteria. Criterion A states that a child with DCD will perform activities that require motor coordination at a lower level than expected given the person’s chronological age. This can be seen as marked delays in achieving motor milestones, clumsiness and poor performance in sports. Criterion B is noted by disturbances in academic achievement or activities of daily living. Criterion C excludes other conditions such as cerebral palsy, hemiplegia or muscular dystrophy. Criterion D excludes the possibility of a mental disability (Geuze et al., 2015). If a mental disability is present, the testable IQ of the child must be greater than 70 and the motor impairment must be greater than what would normally be expected for children with a mental disability in order to be diagnosed with DCD (Banhart et al., 2003).
Prognosis
DCD is a lifelong disease, starting from birth and going into adulthood. Individuals with DCD visit occupational, physical and speech therapists in order to lessen their disability. This improves their quality of life and allows them to learn basic tasks. Characteristics of DCD overlap with numerous other diseases such as Anxiety, Dyslexia, and Asperger’s Syndrome as illustrated (Brookes, 2007).
Without intervention, children with DCD cannot improve; their disability will either progress or remain the same (Losse et al., 2008). The severity of the condition depends on the interventions taken place, which ease their difficulties and allows them to lead normal lives. Thus, the sooner children are diagnosed, the faster treatment can begin, ensuring a greater chance of life improvement.