DCD impacts coordination and movement in children, young people and adults and is characterised by motor performance in various areas being below expected age norms, despite previous opportunities being given to develop these skills. Research suggests that it affects 2-5% of school-aged children in the UK, with difficulties persisting into adulthood in many cases. DCD can occur with other conditions such as Autism Spectrum Condition, Attention Deficit Disorder, Specific Learning Difficulties, etc.  

Typical signs of DCD include coordination difficulties, reduced balance, delays in achieving developmental milestones and acquiring basic motor skills (ball skills, writing, jumping, hopping etc.), and these differences have a significant impact on all areas of life (self-care, school, social etc.). These differences are usually seen early in development but may sometimes only become more noticeable as demands increase, such as when starting school, learning to write, needing to be more independent and transitioning to secondary school. DCD often becomes apparent when required to learn new movement patterns.