What other domains of behaviour are affected by DCD?
When a child is unable to perform motor skills at the same level of proficiency as most of their peers, they start to withdraw socially. Take a five year old who cannot go up and down a playground slide very quickly. He/She will likely not try the skills very often – especially when others are watching. Take this into Grade One and Two — when they accidentally kick the soccer ball in the wrong direction! This child will soon discover that they are not invited to play very often, and so, rather than face the pain of rejection from peers, they simply start to remove themselves from settings in which sporting activities take place. As a result, these children are often seen standing by themselves against the wall of a school building during recess and lunchtime. Academic skills are also affected. Many children with DCD have significant difficulties with handwriting. They may know the answers to questions and be able to give long and detailed descriptions, but they have a very hard time w
