About Dyspraxia/Developmental Coordination Disorder (Archived)

Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) as a DSM condition was first described by the American Psychiatric Association in 1987. It is characterized as a ‘motor’ disorder that negatively affects a person’s motor skill acquisition and performances at home, at school, during play and leisure, and into one’s vocational training and employment settings. However, researchers and clinicians who specialize in DCD have determined that DCD affects one’s academic output, social integration, emotional state, organizational skills, executive functioning, psychological well-being, and, as an outcome of a sedentary lifestyle, even one’s physical state. In this manner, DCD affects much more than motor skills alone. Although the DSM-5-TR currently reports the prevalence rate of DCD to be 7 to 8% in Canada, DCD is seldom identified by medical or mental health professionals. The intent of this webinar is to introduce participants to DCD, share how DCD and Dyspraxia differ/are deemed to be similar, and to gain fundamental knowledge about this little-known neurodevelopmental disorder. The presenter will also offer some ways to differentiate DCD from other more frequently diagnosed neurodevelopmental conditions.