Developmental co-ordination disorder (DCD) seems to be more harmful than previously thought. A recent study commenced by the Bristol University suggests that children with DCD have a heightened risk of complications in attention, reading, short-term memory and social skills. The findings are important for assessing and managing children with DCD in terms of their educational needs.
Scientists aimed to shed light on the probable link between DCD and attention, language, social skills as well as academic ability. Approximately 7,000 kids aged between of seven and a half and nine years were included in the study. Dr. Raghu Lingam, Lecturer in Community Child Health in the School of Social and Community Medicine, and colleagues claim that children with ‘probable’ DCD have a four-fold increased threat of considerable reading difficulties. Such kids may also develop a two-fold increased risk of complications in attention, short-term memory, and social skills.
It was suggested that multidisciplinary assessment and intervention is essential for overcoming the complexities faced by children with DCD. Further investigations can be carried out for analyzing biological basis, the implications for intervention, and long-term outcomes for children with DCD.
The study is published in the current issue of Pediatrics.