​Developmental Coordination Disorder​​

Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) is a situation where your child may develop poor coordination and show clumcy behaviour.
This is a chronic neurological disease and may affect the daily life of your child. In lay man terms, such children are known as 'awkward', 'clumsy' and 'inept' because of their lack of performance in the daily tasks. These tasks include simple things like climbing the stairs, untying and tying laces, unbuttoning and buttoning, ill performance in self-care and below average academic progress.

Children with DCD usually have normal or above average intellectual abilities. However, their motor coordination difficulties may impact their academic progress, social integration and emotional development.​​

Children with this disorder may

  • be extremely clumsy

  • have problems in holding things

  • keep dropping things on and off and have problems with gripping

  • have problems with visual or fine motor coordination (for example, writing, using scissors, tying shoelaces, or tapping one finger to another)

  • have problems with gross motor coordination (for example, jumping, hopping, or standing on one foot)​

If you feel your child has symptoms like above, be sure to contact the doctors at the Children's Hospital Service Line at The Aga Khan University Hospital. Such a situation can be disturbing for you as a parent, but be sure that the doctors will guide you through a proper treatment and counselling for your child.​
Your time with your doctor maybe limited, so make sure to prepare for your visit beforehand. Here are some tips to help get you started​
Your child's doctor will rule out any physical causes and other types of learning disabilities before the diagnosis can be confirmed. Your doctor will conduct a physical examination to rule out the possibilities and lead to an accurate diagnosis. ​

In the attempts to provide treatment for the disorder, your doctor will provide his/her utmost commitment and compassion. We understand that such a condition in your child can be disturbing. However, you can rest assured that our medical team of specialists is equipped to help you or your loved one.

Treatment will typically include:

  • Physical education 

  • Perceptual motor training 

  • Combining movement with tasks that require thinking, like math or reading

  • Using a computer to take notes may help children who have trouble writing

  • Physical activity to prevent obesity​​

The Aga Khan University Hospital offers various support services to help with managing or recovering from the disease or condition. These include but are not limited to nutrition, physiotherapy, rehabilitation, specialized clinics and some patient support groups. Your doctor or nurse will advise you accordingly.

The Aga Khan University Hospital offers financial assistance to those who are in need and fulfil the eligibility criteria. For further information, you can contact the Patient Welfare Department. You can find the contact number of the Patient Welfare Department in the 'Important Numbers' section on the website homepage.

The financial counselling staff is available during office hours, at the main PBSD (Patient Business Services Department), to answer your financial queries on treatments' costs and authorize admissions on partial deposit as per hospital policies allow. The financial counsellor in the emergency room is open 24/7. You can find the contact number of the Patient Business Services in the 'Important Numbers' section on the website homepage.​

Your doctor and or nurse will give you specific instructions about the prescribed medication. Please ensure that you take or use the prescribed medicine as advised. It can be dangerous to your health if you self-prescribe. Please inform the doctor or nurse beforehand if you have experienced any adverse reactions to any medications in the past. If you experience any symptoms of drug poisoning, overdose or severe reaction please contact the Pharmacy Service at The Aga Khan University Hospital immediately. You can find the contact number of the Pharmacy Services in the 'Important Numbers' section on the website homepage.​
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The information provided on our website is for educational purposes and not intended to be a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. You should always seek the advice of your doctor or other healthcare professional provider.