A Compassionate Guide to the Developmental Coordination Disorder Diagnostic Process

Why Trust Cadabam' s CDC for Your Child’s Developmental Coordination Disorder Diagnosis?

Choosing the right partner for your child's developmental journey is the most critical decision you'll make. A diagnosis is more than a label; it's the key that unlocks the right support. Here’s why families trust Cadabam' s CDC.

A Multidisciplinary Team Offering a 360° Diagnostic Perspective

A Developmental Coordination Disorder diagnosis is not made in a vacuum. Our approach involves a collaborative team of experts—including developmental paediatricians, neurologists, clinical psychologists, occupational therapists, and speech-language pathologists. This multidisciplinary diagnosis for DCD ensures that we look at your child from every angle, creating a complete and accurate picture of their strengths and challenges.

Child-Friendly Infrastructure for Accurate and Stress-Free Assessments

We believe a pediatric assessment should never be intimidating. Our center is designed to be a warm, welcoming, and engaging space where children feel comfortable and can be themselves. This stress-free environment allows our clinicians to conduct a more accurate child developmental evaluation, as your child is more likely to demonstrate their true abilities when they feel safe and secure.

From Diagnosis to a Clear, Personalised Treatment Plan

The diagnostic process doesn't end with a report. For us, it’s the beginning of a collaborative journey. We move directly from diagnosis and therapy planning, working with you to translate assessment results into a clear, actionable, and customised therapy plan that addresses your child’s specific needs and your family’s goals.

Over 32+ Years of Specialised Expertise in Neurodevelopmental Care

Cadabam's has been a pioneer in mental health and neurodevelopmental care for over three decades. Our Child Development Centre (CDC) is built on this legacy of excellence, providing specialised expertise in neurodevelopmental screening and care. We combine years of clinical experience with the latest evidence-based practices to support your child's growth.

Recognising Early Signs of Developmental Coordination Disorder

Many parents first notice that something is "off" but struggle to pinpoint it. Understanding the early signs and symptoms can help you know when to seek a professional evaluation.

Developmental and Motor Delays

These are the hallmark signs. You might observe your child struggling with:

• Fine Motor Skills: Difficulty with buttons, zippers, using cutlery, holding a pencil correctly, or messy handwriting.
• Gross Motor Skills: Trouble with running, jumping, hopping, catching a ball, or learning to ride a bike. They may appear generally "clumsy" or uncoordinated compared to their peers.

Atypical Behaviours or Sensory Responses

Children with DCD can become frustrated or anxious about motor tasks. They may avoid gym class, playgrounds, or art projects because they know they will struggle. Some children may also have co-occurring sensory processing differences, being over- or under-sensitive to touch, movement, or sound.

Speech, Feeding, or Communication Challenges

For some children, DCD can also affect the muscles used for speaking and eating. You may notice slurred or unclear speech, or difficulty chewing and managing certain food textures. These may require speech therapy.

Co-Occurring or Associated Difficulties

It's important to understand how to identify developmental delays in context. DCD often co-exists with other conditions like ADHD, specific learning disorders (especially dysgraphia, which is a difficulty with writing), and language disorders. A thorough evaluation will explore these possibilities.

A Step-by-Step Look at the Diagnostic Process at Cadabam' s CDC

We've refined our pediatric diagnostic center process to be as clear and supportive as possible for families. Here’s what you can expect.

Step 1 - Initial Consultation and Developmental Screening

Your journey begins with an initial consultation where we listen carefully to your concerns. We use standardised questionnaires and conduct an initial developmental screening for Developmental Coordination Disorder to get a baseline understanding of your child's skills across different domains.

Step 2 - Detailed Medical & Developmental History Review

We conduct a thorough review of your child’s history, including pregnancy and birth details, developmental milestones (when they sat, crawled, walked), medical history, and reports from school teachers or other caregivers. This context is vital for an accurate diagnosis.

Step 3 - Physical, Neurological & Behavioural Examination

A developmental paediatrician or neurologist will perform a comprehensive physical and neurological exam. This is to assess muscle tone, strength, reflexes, and balance, and importantly, to rule out any other neurological or medical conditions (like cerebral palsy or muscular dystrophy) that could be causing the motor difficulties.

Step 4 - Observational and Standardised Diagnostic Tests

This is a core component of how DCD is diagnosed. An Occupational or Physiotherapist will use standardised tests (like the Movement ABC-2 or BOT-2) to measure your child’s fine and gross motor skills against children of the same age. We also observe the quality of your child's movement and their strategies for completing tasks.

Step 5 - Collaborative Diagnosis & Goal Setting with Families

Once all the assessments are complete, our multidisciplinary team meets to discuss the findings. We then sit down with you to explain the results in clear, understandable language. If a Developmental Coordination Disorder diagnosis is confirmed, we work together to set meaningful goals and outline the next steps for therapy.

Understanding the Role of the DSM in Developmental Coordination Disorder Diagnosis

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition (DSM-5) is a standard classification system used by clinicians to diagnose various conditions, including neurodevelopmental disorders.

Beyond the Primary Diagnosis: Understanding the Whole Child

The DSM-5 provides specific criteria for a DCD diagnosis:

• Criterion A: Motor skills are significantly below the expected level for the child’s age.
• Criterion B: The motor difficulties significantly interfere with daily living, self-care, and academic performance.
• Criterion C: The symptoms began in the early developmental period.
• Criterion D: The difficulties are not better explained by an intellectual disability, visual impairment, or another neurological condition. Understanding the DSM diagnosis helps ensure consistency and accuracy in clinical practice.

Identifying Co-Occurring Conditions Using DSM-5 Criteria

The DSM-5 framework is crucial for identifying conditions that often co-occur with DCD. Our comprehensive neurodevelopmental screening uses these criteria to check for other possibilities, ensuring no aspect of your child's profile is overlooked.

Common Co-Occurring Conditions in Developmental Coordination Disorder

• Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
• Specific Learning Disorder (with impairment in reading, writing, or math)
• Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
• Language Disorder or Speech Sound Disorder

The Power of a Unified, Collaborative Approach

Our team's expertise in applying DSM-5 criteria across disciplines allows us to create a truly holistic picture. This is essential for effective diagnosis and therapy planning, as a child with DCD and co-occurring ADHD will need a different support plan than a child with DCD alone.

Understanding the ICD Classification for Developmental Coordination Disorder

The International Classification of Diseases (ICD), currently in its 11th Revision (ICD-11), is the global standard for diagnostic health information, maintained by the World Health Organization (WHO).

What an ICD Diagnosis Means for Families

An ICD diagnosis for Developmental Coordination Disorder serves several key functions. It is used for health records, insurance claims, and communication between healthcare providers worldwide. It ensures that a diagnosis made at CadabamsCDC is understood by professionals anywhere your family might go.

Key ICD-10 & ICD-11 Codes Explained

• ICD-10 Code for DCD: The older ICD-10 code for DCD is F82, labelled as "Specific developmental disorder of motor function."
• ICD-11 Classification for DCD: The updated ICD-11 code for DCD is 8A02, now more clearly named "Developmental coordination disorder."

The Benefits of ICD-11: A More Precise Picture

The ICD-11 classification for DCD provides a more modern and detailed framework that aligns closely with the DSM-5. This global alignment helps standardize research and clinical care, ultimately benefiting children and families by promoting a more universal understanding of the condition.

How CadabamsCDC Ensures ICD Accuracy

Our clinical team is proficient in both DSM-5 and ICD-11 diagnostic systems. We ensure that your child’s records are coded accurately, which is essential for seamless access to school supports, insurance coverage, and continuity of care.

From Diagnosis to Development: Your Child’s Journey Forward

A diagnosis is a starting point, not a final destination. It is the key that unlocks a journey of targeted support, skill-building, and growing confidence.

Early Intervention: The Critical Next Step

Following a developmental disorder diagnosis, early intervention is the single most effective way to support your child. The brain's plasticity is highest in early childhood, making this the prime time to build new neural pathways and motor strategies. An early intervention assessment helps us pinpoint exactly where to begin.

Customised Paediatric Therapy Plans

There is no one-size-fits-all approach. Your child’s plan may include:

• Occupational Therapy (OT): To improve fine motor skills, daily living activities (dressing, eating), handwriting, and sensory processing.
• Physiotherapy (PT): To enhance gross motor skills, balance, coordination, and overall physical fitness and participation in sports.

Family Coaching & Home-Based Support

You are your child's most important guide. We equip you with the knowledge and strategies to support your child’s development at home. This coaching ensures that therapeutic progress continues outside of our center, embedding new skills into your child's daily routines.

Meet the Experts Behind the Diagnosis

Our strength lies in our people. A multidisciplinary diagnosis for DCD is only as good as the team providing it.

Developmental Paediatricians & Neurologists

Our doctors lead the diagnostic process, conducting comprehensive medical evaluations to provide or confirm the diagnosis and rule out other underlying conditions. They oversee your child's overall developmental health.

Occupational, Physiotherapists & Speech-Language Pathologists

These are the hands-on specialists who perform the detailed pediatric assessment of motor and communication skills. They are experts in identifying functional challenges and designing effective therapeutic interventions.

Clinical Psychologists & Special Educators

Our psychologists assess for co-occurring conditions like ADHD and learning disabilities, while also addressing the emotional and behavioural impact of DCD, such as anxiety and low self-esteem.

Expert Quotes & Insights

"Finding out why a child is struggling is a moment of profound relief for most families. The DCD diagnosis isn't a label of limitation; it's a roadmap. It tells us exactly where to focus our efforts to help the child unlock their true potential." - Dr. Anusha, Developmental Paediatrician at CadabamsCDC

Real-Life Journeys: From Diagnosis to Progress

Case Study 1 - Early Diagnosis and Improved Outcomes

Aarav, age 6, was struggling to keep up in kindergarten. His teacher noticed his messy handwriting and difficulty with crafts. After a comprehensive evaluation at CadabamsCDC confirmed DCD, he began weekly OT. Within six months, he could write his name clearly, use scissors effectively, and was more willing to participate in class activities. The early diagnosis of DCD prevented a slide in his academic confidence.

Case Study 2 - A Path from Confusion to Clarity

Priya, age 9, had always avoided sports and was called "lazy" in gym class. Her parents were confused and frustrated. The diagnostic process revealed DCD with underlying balance and coordination deficits. With a targeted PT program and coaching, Priya learned strategies that helped her join the school's badminton club, transforming her self-perception and social life.

Family Testimonial - “Diagnosis Was the Beginning, Not the End”

"For years, we just thought our son was clumsy. We'd get frustrated, and he'd get upset. Getting the DCD diagnosis from CadabamsCDC was a lightbulb moment. It wasn't his fault. The team didn't just give us a report; they gave us hope and a plan. Diagnosis was the beginning of our real journey forward, not the end." - Parent of a 7-year-old