Educational Assessment for DCD | Cadabam’s CDC
If your child struggles to hold a pencil, climb stairs, or keep up in PE, an educational assessment for developmental coordination disorder (DCD) can reveal the “why” and show the way forward. At Cadabams CDC, our child-centred process gives parents clear answers, practical strategies, and a roadmap for school success—all in one visit.
Quick Overview: What to Expect from Our DCD Assessment
- Duration: 2.5–3 hours, split into child-friendly sessions with breaks
- Age Range: 4–16 years (adapted tools for pre-school and teens)
- Who Conducts the Evaluation: A multidisciplinary team led by our senior paediatric occupational therapist and supported by special educators and psychologists
Signs Your Child May Need a DCD Assessment
Common Coordination Challenges
- Frequent tripping, bumping into furniture, or dropping objects
- Difficulty learning to ride a bike or skip
- Awkward or slow running pattern compared with peers
Academic & Daily-Life Red Flags
- Handwriting that is hard to read or causes hand fatigue
- Trouble using scissors, buttons, or zippers
- Avoidance of sports or playground games
- Taking much longer than classmates to finish written work
Step-by-Step Assessment Process
Step 1: Initial Intake & Parent Interview We start with a 30-minute conversation to gather developmental history, school reports, and your main concerns.
Step 2: Standardised Motor-Skills Tests Your child completes evidence-based tools such as the Movement ABC-2 and Bruininks–Oseretsky Test to measure gross motor coordination, fine motor precision, and balance.
Step 3: Classroom & Home Observations Our team observes your child in natural settings—either on-site in our simulated classroom or via secure video from home or school.
Step 4: Report & Personalised Recommendations Within 7 working days, you receive a detailed diagnostic report plus an individualised education plan (IEP) template ready for your school.
Types of Tests Used in Our DCD Evaluation
- Strength & Endurance: Wall-push and grip-strength gauges
- Balance & Postural Control: Single-leg stance and dynamic balance beam tasks
- Fine Motor & Graphomotor Skills Tests: Purdue Pegboard and handwriting speed tests
- Visuomotor Integration Tasks: Beery VMI copying forms
- Coordination & Motor-Planning Evaluations: Obstacle courses and timed sequencing games
Skills We Measure During the Assessment
- Gross Motor Coordination: Running, jumping, ball skills
- Fine Motor Precision: Pinch patterns, bead threading
- Handwriting & Graphomotor Output: Letter formation, spacing, speed
- Visual–Motor Integration: Copying shapes, drawing from memory
- Daily Living Skills: Using cutlery, tying shoelaces, organising school bag
Assessment Outcomes & Next Steps
- Detailed Diagnostic Report: Clear scores, clinical impressions, and DCD diagnosis where appropriate
- IEP Support: Specific classroom accommodations (extra time, modified PE, slant boards)
- Referrals to Therapy Services: In-house occupational therapy, physiotherapy, and parent coaching groups