Developmental coordination disorder (DCD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by motor coordination difficulties that significantly interfere with activities of daily living and academic achievement and are not better explained by intellectual disability, visual impairment, or a known neurological condition. The acquisition and execution of motor skills in DCD is substantially below that expected for an individual’s age and opportunities for skill use, and the coordination difficulties must have been evident during early development. This entry further describes DCD; discusses its effects on motor skills, physical and mental health, and cognitive ability; and looks at the etiology of the disorder.

Historically known as “clumsy child” syndrome and developmental dyspraxia, DCD affects approximately 5% of school-aged children, with a greater number of males receiving clinical referrals than females. Less information is available concerning DCD in adulthood, but longitudinal studies of adults diagnosed in childhood suggest that motor difficulties persist and that they can be associated with a range of problems in other areas of functioning, such as poor mental and physical health.