Developmental+Coordination+Disorder


 * __**Developmental Coordination Disorder.**__

Developmental Coordination Disorder is when children do not develop normal muscle coordination. The disorder is normal recognized when a child does not reach some developmental milestones such as crawling, walking or being able to dress themselves.

Children with Developmental Coordination Disorder have difficulties preforming everyday tasks at school and at home such as writing, skipping and catching a ball. A child with Developmental Coordination Disorder has underdeveloped gross motor (legs, arms and trunk) and fine motor (fingers) muscles and often withdraw themselves from activities in the classroom and in the playground, which in turn can lead to social difficulties.

There are a number of different activities that can be used to strengthen these muscles in all children; however, a child with Developmental Coordination Disorder may never be able to strengthen their muscles to a 'normal' level.

__Fine motor activities to strengthen fingers__
 * use theraputty or playdough to roll into small balls
 * open and close pegs with thumb and pointer finger
 * use tongs, chopsticks or tweezers to pick up beads or beans
 * use small pins on pin-boards
 * activities using scissors
 * threading tiny beads or buttons onto string or wool
 * play with spinning tops
 * make a finger puppet play

__Gross motor activities to strengthen large muscles__
 * arm wrestles with a partner
 * wheelbarrow walks
 * row, row, row your boat with a partner
 * large drawing or painting at eye level
 * dancing, marching, walking, hopping, skipping
 * playing throw and catch
 * riding bikes or scooters
 * swimming

Individualized programs that are designed to help children with Developmental Coordination Disorder achieve goals and classroom activities boost their self-efficacy and encourage them to continually participate in future activities.

Therapy ACT is a government based program that provides services to the community for people with delayed development and developmental disabilities. They also hold professional development workshops for teachers in a range of areas such as speech difficulties, managing challenging behaviour, phonological awareness in the classroom and essential skills for Autism. The Therapy ACT website is a fantastic starting point if you believe you have a child in your class with Developmental Coordination Disorder or you want to attend a professional development.

__References:__

http://www.minddisorders.com/Del-Fi/Developmental-coordination-disorder.html

http://www.dhcs.act.gov.au/therapyact

Department of Disability, housing & community services. (2010) 'Write On'. Canberra, Australia: Commonwealth of Australia.

=Gross Motor Skills=

Other activities to develop gross motor include:

 * ===use of bean bags for throwing and catching===
 * ===yoga balls for balancing===
 * ===playing games incorporating balancing, jumping and running===

Fine motor skills can be improved by:

 * ===ripping newspaper===
 * ===doing up and undoing buttons===
 * ===peeling fruit===
 * ===using a spray bottle===

===Physical support needs to to given to additional needs students until they feel confident to complete exercises on their own. In a preschool setting an obstacle course can be set up outside to incorporate climbing, balancing, throwing and jumping.===

Reference []

Collins, J., Ellis, C., (2007), Early Intervention Unit, The ACT Department of Education and Training. Received 7/9/2010