Psychotherapy High Wycombe Psychotherapy High Wycombe - Last updated 20 April 2024

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DSM-IV: Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD)

When a child's motor coordination falls substantially below that which would beexpected, and this cannot be accounted for by a known physical illness or injury, this mental disorder may be diagnosed.

Diagnostic criteria for 315.4 Developmental Coordination Disorder
(Warning!)

A. Performance in daily activities that require motor coordination is substantially below that expected given the person's chronological age and measured intelligence. This may be manifested by marked delays in achieving motor milestones (e.g. walking, crawling, sitting), dropping things, "clumsiness," poor performance in sports, or poor handwriting.

B. The disturbance in Criterion A significantly interferes with academic achievement or activities of daily living.

C. The disturbance is not due to a general medical condition (e.g. cerebral palsy, hemiplegia, or muscular dystrophy) and does not meet criteria for a Pervasive Developmental Disorder.

D. If Mental Retardation is present, the motor difficulties are in excess of those usually associated with it.

Coding note: If a general medical (e.g. neurological) condition or sensory deficit is present, code the condition on Axis III.

Based on the Diagnostic & Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th edition APA

Also: motor skills disorder

The online Diagnostic & Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders lists most of the major psychological disorders and illnesses and lists the criteria that must be fulfilled in order for a diagnosis to be made. This resource is not a substitute for proper professional psychiatric diagnosis.