Developmental Co-ordination Disorder

Supporting Learning with Gizmos and Gadgets

Sharon Drew MA (SEN) DipCOTwww.smartcc.co.uk

sharonannedrew@aol.com

DCD

• Not a disease but a symptom collection• Co-existence with other conditions• Males:females• No blood tests• No single causes- heterogeneous group• No single cures!!!• Long term effects – not a disorder of

childhood

London Consensus

• DCD is a chronic and usually permanent condition characterised by impairment of both functional performance and quality of movement that is not explicable in terms of age or intellect, or by any other diagnosable neurological or psychiatric features.

• Individuals with DCD display a qualitative difference in movement which differentiates them from those of the same age without the disability. The nature of these qualitative differences, whilst considered to change over time, tends to persist through the life span.

DCD

• Minimal Brain Dysfunction• Clumsy Child Syndromes• Perceptual Motor Dysfunction• Sensory Integration Dysfunction• Postural motor Dysfunction• Motor Learning Difficulties• Developmental Dyspraxia• Specific Developmental Disorder of Motor

Dysfunction• Developmental Co-ordination Disorder

Primary Features/Secondary Issues – the Interchange

Child Primary Features Secondary Issues

Motor Self-confidenceLearning BehaviourSocial Esteem

Adult Social Motor (may not be evident)

Self-esteem LearningConfidence

Observable characteristics – adults:

• Co-ordination difficulties (visual motor/auditory motor)• Poor handwriting• Low self-esteem• Emotional problems• Sensory• Executive skills

– Attention Control – selective and sustained attention– Cognitive flexibility – working memory, attention shift, self-

monitoring and conceptual transfers– Goal setting – planning and organisation/sequencing, generating

strategies for problem-solving and strategic behaviour.– Time management

• Following instructions• Difficulty establishing and maintaining

relationships/partnerships• High co-existence with other SpLD – literacy/numeracy

Employment

• Adolescents with extreme motor problems had the least skilled jobs Knuckey and Gubbay (1983)

• By the age of 16, adolescents diagnosed with DCD at 6 years of age not only had lower school achievement, but as a consequence, some of them found it hard to gain employment Cantell (1998)

• Positive note - many adults with DCD develop adaptive characteristics and achieve goals by unconventional means, devise different ways of doing things, or avoid them.

What do we mean by co-ordination difficulties?

•Mechanical

•Planning

•Perception

On the other hand??!!

Task

EnvironmentIndividual

Where does the Solution lie?

Barriers

• Space• Tools for the job• Attitude• Safety – risk assessment• Course/work requirements• Moving and handling – risk

assessment• Experience• Resources

Adapt the Task

• Considering the processes• Altering or changing the

resource/equipment being used• Eliminating a stage of the activity • Changing the individual’s method of

doing the activity – work in team/solo• Consider the way the task is taught• Ergonomics – position, furniture, lighting

Support

• DSA• Amanuensis• Mentoring/coaching• Study skills• Assistive technologies – recording,

reading, listening, communication devices

General Strategies

Teaching Strategies

• Use as many senses as possible when presenting subject matter

• Concepts can be strengthened by using sounds, smells, and visual aids.

• Use the board, handouts, videos, group discussions, role playing, overhead projectors, etc.

• Prepare handouts and review technical terms used in the session

• Use audio textbooks and other material when appropriate.

• Provide large-print handouts• Lectures on line

A Students Perspective

DCD so……………

• Able to learn with determination and plenty of practice

• Can be a creative and original thinker - works around their disability, allowing them to think ‘outside the box’, often leading to more creative solutions and imaginative answers to problems

• Hard-working and determined to succeed• Honest, genuine and sincereThey are also described as:• Outgoing personalities - many develop this in an

attempt to compensate for their difficulties.• Having strong compensatory skills. • Being persistent – despite frustrations, many keep

trying until they meet with success (Bridges to Practice 1999).

The Disabled Living Foundation (DLF)

• National charity – free impartial advice about all types of equipment

• DLF can help you find equipment solutions Whether you're a member of the public or a healthcare professional who needs advice

• www.dlf.org.uk

Useful Reading

• Living with Dyspraxia. Mary Colley Herts. The Dyspraxia Foundation.

• Adults with Developmental Co-ordination Disorder. Sharon Drew. London. Whurr Publishers

Equipment Suppliers• Home Craft Ability One Ltd

Shelly Close, Lowmoor Road Industrial Estate, Kirkby-in-Ashfield, Nottinghamshire NG17 7ETTel: 01623 720005

• Nottingham Rehab Supplies (NRS)Norvara House, Excelsior Road, Ashby de la Zouch, Leicestershire LE65 1NGTel: 0845 120 4522www.nrs-uk.co.uk

• Lakeland Limitedwww.lakelandlimited.co.uk

Useful Websites

• www.sensorycomfort.com• www.shopgetorganised.com• www.gadgets.co.uk• www.betterware.co.uk• www.watchminder.com