Audiologist for Developmental Coordination Disorder
When a child keeps stumbling, misjudging distances or “tuning out” instructions, most parents suspect a motor-skill issue. Few realise that the missing piece may actually sit inside the ear and brain pathways that control sound and balance. An audiologist for developmental coordination disorder (DCD) can uncover these hidden auditory-vestibular hurdles, turning everyday struggles into measurable progress.
Why Audiology Matters for Developmental Coordination Disorder
Hidden hearing & balance issues that amplify coordination problems
• Sub-clinical hearing loss: Tiny high-frequency dips often go unnoticed in routine checks yet distort spatial cues. • Vestibular dysfunction: The inner-ear balance organ feeds real-time data to posture and gait centres. • Auditory processing disorder (APD): A child hears normally but the brain scrambles rapid or complex sounds, slowing motor planning.
Science behind auditory-vestibular-motor connections
Research shows that the inner ear’s vestibular system and the cerebellum (your child’s coordination HQ) share dense neural highways. When sound cues or balance signals arrive late or distorted, the brain compensates with bigger, clumsier movements. An audiologist trained in developmental coordination disorder can measure these milliseconds of delay and design precise interventions.
Signs Your Child With DCD Needs an Audiologist
Red-flag auditory processing symptoms
• Frequently says “huh?” even in quiet rooms • Misunderstands multi-step directions • Covers one ear to localise sound • Struggles in noisy classrooms
Balance complaints that overlap with coordination disorder
• Avoids swings or slides • Motion sickness on short car rides • Tendency to drift sideways while walking • Difficulty standing on one foot >5 seconds
If two or more bullets describe your child, schedule an audiology screen at Cadabams CDC.
Our Specialized DCD Audiological Assessment Pathway
Step-by-step: booking to results
- Online form: Share birth, speech, motor and school history.
- Phone triage: Our care-coordinator books the right appointment length.
- Day of visit: Child-friendly lobby, play breaks every 15 minutes.
- Same-day debrief: Preliminary findings explained in parent language.
- Written report: Emailed within 48 hours to you and your paediatric team.
What tests are done (hearing, APD, vestibular)
| Test | Time | Age Range | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| Play audiometry | 10 min | 2+ yrs | Pure-tone thresholds |
| Tympanometry & reflexes | 5 min | All | Middle-ear function |
| Auditory Processing Battery | 25 min | 7+ yrs | Spatial & temporal processing |
| VEMP & vHIT | 20 min | 4+ yrs | Vestibular reflex integrity |
Kid-friendly tools that keep accuracy high
• Puppet headphones: Soft animal-shaped transducers reduce anxiety. • Motion-tracking VR goggles: Turn balance tests into treasure-hunt games. • Colour-coded report cards: Children pick stickers to mark milestones.
Tailored Intervention Plans
Auditory processing therapy games
• “Sound Safari” app: Child locates animal calls in 3-D audio space. • Rhythm-clap sequences to build motor timing.
Vestibular rehabilitation exercises
• Foam balance pad drills: Strengthen ankle strategy for uneven surfaces. • Rotary chair spins: Controlled vestibular input to recalibrate gaze stability.
Home program apps & parent training
Access our parent portal for: • Weekly exercise videos • Progress graphs • Live chat with audiologists every Tuesday & Friday
Meet the Multidisciplinary Team
How audiologists collaborate with OT & physio
• Joint sessions: Audiologist cues auditory targets while OT times motor reps. • Shared dashboards: Real-time data from balance plates and sound booths feed one central chart. • Quarterly case conferences: All therapists, parents and school rep adjust goals.
Success Stories
Before-and-after motor scores (anonymised)
• Arjun, 8 yrs: M-ABC score improved from 5th percentile → 35th percentile in 12 weeks. • Kiara, 6 yrs: Static balance time increased from 3 s → 42 s after vestibular rehab.
Parent testimonials
“We thought Kiara was just clumsy. The audiologist found a mild vestibular weakness—six weeks of fun spinning games and she can now ride a bicycle!”
— Mrs S, Hyderabad