II. Definition

  1. Clumsy child with normal intelligence, no focal deficit

III. Signs

  1. General
    1. Difficulty with sports participation
  2. Difficult gross motor skills
    1. See Gross Motor Milestones
    2. Clumsy walking or Running
    3. Difficulty climbing or jumping
  3. Difficult fine motor skills
    1. See Fine Motor Milestones
    2. Difficult buttoning, zipping or tying
    3. Difficulty holding crayon or pen
    4. Difficulty with crafts
    5. Poor handwriting
  4. Commonly abnormal findings on exam
    1. Abnormal Rapid Alternating Movements
    2. Abnormal balance
      1. Unable to stand 15 seconds feet together, arms out
      2. Unable to tandem stand 15 seconds with eyes closed
    3. Unable to hop in place alternating feet
  5. Red flag findings suggestive of alternative diagnosis
    1. Motor weakness
    2. Ataxia
    3. Hypotonia or hypertonia

IV. Diagnosis (DSM IV Criteria)

  1. Gross Motor Milestones or Fine Motor Milestones not met
  2. Interferes significantly with academics or daily living
  3. Not due to other medical condition
    1. Cerebral Palsy
    2. Hemiplegia
    3. Muscular Dystrophy
    4. Pervasive Developmental Disorder

VI. Prognosis

  1. Coordination Disorder persists into adulthood

VII. Management

  1. Encourage supportive environment
  2. Encourage motor appropriate sports participation
    1. Try activity with chance of success (e.g. swimming)
  3. Tailor academic activities to motor abilities
  4. Occupational Therapy

VIII. References

  1. Silver in Tasman (1997) Psychiatry, p. 638-9
  2. Hamilton (2002) Am Fam Physician 66(8):1435-40 [PubMed]

Images: Related links to external sites (from Bing)

Related Studies