Adult DCD

Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) also commonly known as dyspraxia is a lifelong neurodevelopmental condition that - contrary to some beliefs - is not a condition that is 'grown out of'. The main indicators in children can be identified in fine and gross motor skill coordination differences. However, indicators of Dyspraxia in Adults are varied and are very often masked by adults who have spent many years adapting to a society that has not recognised or understood what DCD/dyspraxia is.

For many years DCD/dyspraxia was referred to as 'Clumsy Child Syndrome'. It wasnt until the late 1980's that the term DCD was recognised and a more common understanding of the condition was agreed. There are entire generations of adults with DCD who were never identified and who never received the supports they required to reach their true potential in life. 

While indicators of DCD/dyspraxia are varied they may include challenges in some or multiple of the more common areas:

• Skills of everyday independent living and organising ones day e.g. dressing, shaving, applying makeup, cooking, timekeeping.
• Fine motor skills, such as writing, typing, or using small objects.
• Balance, coordination, and tasks requiring motor skills, like playing sports or driving.
• Sense of direction, e.g. distinguishing right from left, north from south etc.,
• Learning new skills and remembering information, which can affect work and home life.
• Social challenges, including functioning in social situations and dealing with emotions.
• Co-occurrence with other conditions, such as ADHD, dyslexia, or autism spectrum disorder
• Fatigue due to the extra physical and mental effort required to carry out actions that others manage easily.
• Using certain implements such as pens/pencils, scissors, hammers, keys, zippers, etc.,
• Over- or under-sensitivity to touch e.g.dislike of being touched and/or aversion to over-loose or tight clothing.
• Over- or under-sensitivity to smell and taste, temperature and pain
• Spatial awareness of body position. Can result in bumping into and tripping over things and people, dropping and spilling things.

The Adult Developmental Coordination Disorders/Dyspraxia Checklist (ADC)1 is a self-report questionnaire that can be used to identify adults who may have DCD/dyspraxia. The checklist asks questions about an individual’s history of coordination challenges, as well as their current ability to perform everyday tasks. You can complete the checklist on the link above for greater clarity on whether you may have DCD/dyspraxia.

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