Some children with this condition show extraneous motor activity, like choreiform (jerky or twisting) movements and mirror (symmetrical) movements.  Such movements are considered soft signs rather than neurological abnormalities. 

Associated Features of Developmental Coordination Disorder 

Developmental  coordination disorder is diagnosed when the following criteria are present:

A. Coordinated motor skills are at a level below someone’s age and opportunity for learning. 

B. The deficits in criteria A interfere with daily life.

C. The symptoms start early in the developmental stages.

D. The symptoms are not explained by an intellectual disability, visual issues, or neurological conditions affecting movement. 

[DSM-5-TR] Diagnostic Criteria of Developmental Coordination Disorder

Diagnostic issues of developmental coordination disorder include:
- Culture-related diagnostic issues

Related Diagnostic Issues of Developmental Coordination Disorder

Risk and prognostic factors of developmental coordination disorder include:
- Environmental
- Genetic and physiological
- Course modifiers

Risk and Prognostic Factors of Developmental Coordination Disorder

Prevalence of the condition is 5-8% in children aged 5-11 in the UK, and 7-8% in Canada, Sweden, and Taiwan. It is more common in males than females with a ratio between 2:1 and 7:1.

Prevalence of Developmental Coordination Disorder 

The course of the disorder varies but persists till at least 1-year and 2-year follow up. Onset is in early childhood and continues through adolescence for 50%-70% of children. The condition is visible in early developmental milestones like when using eating utensils, and buttoning clothes; apparent in middle childhood in handwriting, and assembling models; and noticeable in early adulthood when using tools, and driving.

Development and Course of Developmental Coordination Disorder 

Common comorbid diagnoses include:
- Communication disorders
- Learning disorders (especially reading and writing)
- Inattention, including ADHD (which has 50% co-occurrence, making it the most common comorbid condition)
- Autism spectrum disorder
- Disruptive and emotional behavior issues
- Joint hypermobility syndrome

Different clusters for developmental coordination disorder exist, like one set may have reading issues, fine motor deficits, and handwriting problems, while another set may have reduced movement control and motor planning. Comorbid conditions can present additional challenges when determining diagnosis.

Comorbid Diagnoses to Developmental Coordination Disorder 

The condition causes impairment in daily activities, as per criterion B; and increased impairment when comorbid conditions are present. Consequences of the disorder include less participation in sports; lower self-esteem and self-worth; emotional or behavioral issues; reduced academic success; lower physical fitness, less physical activity and higher chance of obesity; and decreased health.

Functional Consequences of Developmental Coordination Disorder

Differential diagnoses to Developmental coordination disorder include:
- Motor impairments due to another medical condition
- Intellectual Developmental Disorder
- Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
- Autism Spectrum Disorder
- Joint Hypermobility Syndrome

Differential Diagnoses to Developmental Coordination Disorder 

This includes the intersection of connections and/or research related to Developmental Coordination Disorder in other fields of study and research. Such fields include:

- Physical therapy
- Occupational therapy
- Clinical psychology
- School psychology
- Medical

Interdisciplinary Connections & Research Related to Developmental Coordination Disorder 

Developmental coordination disorder is characterized by impaired motor skills that are below average for one's age and interferes with daily life. 

New Mexico Highlands University

The DSM-5-TR separates Motor Disorders into the following groups and specific disorders:
- Developmental Coordination Disorder
- Stereotypic Movement Disorder
- Tic Disorders

[DSM-5-TR] List of Motor Disorders 

American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed., Text revision). https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.books.9780890425596

DSM-5-TR

Stereotypic movement disorder is diagnosed when an individual has repetitive, seemingly driven, and apparently purposeless motor behaviors, such as hand flapping, body rocking, head banging, self-biting, or hitting. The movements interfere with social, academic, or other activities. Motor stereotypes are among the diagnostic characteristics of autism spectrum disorder

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