The Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT) have launched a quick guide about occupational therapy and the assessment and diagnosis of developmental coordination disorder (DCD) in children and adults. The new guide is aimed at occupational therapists, other members of the multidisciplinary team and members of the public.
DCD, also known as dyspraxia, is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects 2-5% of school-aged children in the UK and in most cases continues into adulthood. Occupational therapists are the health professionals most likely to be involved with children with DCD. Their skills and expertise mean they play an essential role in the assessment, diagnosis and support of people of all ages whose difficulties managing everyday activities are or may be due to DCD.
Diagnosis can help those with DCD by:
- providing an explanation for the difficulties they experience in their daily lives;
- leading them to trusted and relevant sources of information and support; and
- enabling access to treatment and services.
Commenting on the new quick guide, RCOT Professional Adviser for Children, Young People and Families, Dr Sally Payne said:
“Many people – adults and parents – say that a diagnosis of developmental coordination disorder (or dyspraxia) helps by providing an explanation for a person’s difficulties and enables them to access to information, intervention and support.
“Occupational therapists’ skills and expertise mean they can play an important role in the diagnostic process, and this quick guide explains what this role might look like. We hope it will be useful not only for occupational therapists, but also for service commissioners, members of the public and others who are interested in providing services to people who have, or who may have DCD.”
More information and the new quick guide can be found in the section for occupational therapy for children and young people on the RCOT website.