Page 66 - Part-A

Understanding Specific Learning Difficulties

DCD diagnosis in children and teenagers

As with many other SpLDs, the first step will often be to arrange to speak to a child’s
GP, the teacher involved and the school’s SENCO. In fact, parents, teachers and
sometimes the child or young person themselves are likely to be the people who
realise that the difficulties being experienced are not usual.

Following initial discussions, a GP is likely to refer the child to an appropriate
professional with expertise in the area. This could be one of several professionals,
such as a:

• Paediatrician

• Clinical psychologist

• Occupational therapist

• Child and adolescent mental health specialist

• Educational psychologist.

All of these people will contribute to the discussion and assessment process, but the
paediatrician is the person who usually confirms the final diagnosis.

Children are assessed using tests that look at their ability to make movements
involving large muscles in the body, such as jumping, running, balancing and throwing.
These are called gross motor skills.

The assessment also looks at the smaller movement of the hands and fingers to
perform tasks, such as writing and drawing or manipulating small objects. These are
called fine motor skills.

The child’s performance of these skills is then compared with what is usual at the
same age.

As is often the case with SpLDs, there is frequently more than one condition present.
A child may also be diagnosed with an overlapping condition such as dyslexia.

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