what is

Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD), or Dysgraphia

Dysgraphia, a difficulty in grapho-motor coordination, falls under Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD), which involves challenges in coordinating movements. Many of these children are still commonly described as having dyspraxia.

According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM-V, 2013) Dysgraphia is used as a term to refer specifically to “a serious impairment in the development of motor coordination affecting handwriting competence, consequently affecting legibility of written output and affecting academic achievement.”

it's the child who...

…at school, struggles with forming letters and numbers correctly, writing on the lines, or keeping writing straight on plain paper. He has difficulties holding a pencil properly, using scissors, managing a glass or plate, constructing with plastic or wooden blocks, and matching shapes.
He might also struggle with spatial orientation and directionality. For example, he may have difficulty remembering where his classroom is or whether to turn right or left to reach the school library. He often forgets where his clothes are kept in his home cabinet and what he needs to pack in his school bag.
He might also struggle with spatial orientation and directionality. For example, he may have difficulty remembering where his classroom is or whether to turn right or left to reach the school library. He often forgets where his clothes are kept in his home cabinet and what he needs to pack in his school bag.

In terms of writing, he is not sure from where to start writing, or where a line should end. He writes letters upside-down, or might transpose letters in consonant clusters (e.g., writing ‘lg’ instead of ‘gl’, ‘hs’ instead of ‘sh’, or  ‘hriskn’  instead of ‘shrink’).

During play, he may struggle to figure out where to begin a construction, how to assemble Lego pieces, how to dress a doll, or even the correct order in which to put on his clothes when he starts dressing himself independently.

He has difficulty balancing on one foot to play hopscotch and frequently breaks or drops things unintentionally. He often falls while walking and usually appears disheveled in the way he wears his clothes.
In a school context, dysgraphia involves difficulties with motor coordination, hand-eye coordination, and spatial orientation, affecting how children write or draw on paper. These challenges result in clumsiness, a slow pace, and incorrect motor performance. Dysgraphia impacts not only grapho-motor coordination and symbol formation but also the quality of written presentation and written expression. This includes how effectively the child communicates his ideas in writing or what he has learned, including syntax, sentence structure, grammar usage, and sequencing.
Coordination issues may also affect a child’s performance in sports and other physical activities. For example, they may struggle with kicking the ball in soccer, dribbling while running in basketball, catching and directing the ball in tennis, learning dance moves, riding a bike, or playing a musical instrument.

a little more on DCD

Scientifically speaking, according to global classifications like the ICD-10 or DSM-V, Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) can be understood, in simplified terms, through two main aspects: gross motor skills and fine motor skills. Each of these areas is assessed using specific tests that pinpoint the exact nature of the difficulty. Based on these findings, the Specialist Occupational Therapist who conducts the diagnosis provides tailored treatment recommendations.

Early evaluation is crucial, ideally starting in infancy, with a Developmental Pediatrician assessing and referring the child to an Occupational Therapist. As the child grows, the role of the therapist becomes increasingly important.
DCD often coexists with other developmental disorders, making an interdisciplinary diagnosis essential during the preschool years, well before formal schooling begins.

play is for all