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Learning New Motor Skills For A Chronic Neurological Disorder

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Coordinated movements are important to complete basic daily tasks, but for some children developmental milestones are not reached because of a chronic neurological disorder. Developmental coordination disorder, commonly known as DCD, occurs when there is a delay in motor skill development, which can cause difficulty in coordinating movements (Cairney, 2010, p. e67).

Symptoms of this disorder include clumsiness, difficulties with fine and gross motor skills, as well as sensory integrative dysfunction (Missiuna, p. 2). Physical characteristics the child may exhibit are delayed movements, difficulty learning new motor skills, problems with balance, and difficulties with skills that involve constant feedback to plan new movements such as printing or handwriting (Missiuna, p. 3). Children with DCD must overcome individual constraints when it comes to any task. They commonly have low muscle mass and low muscle tone, reduced motor control, and lack body awareness (Missiuna, p. 3). As for emotional characteristics, children with DCD often show little interest in activities that demand a physical reaction, demonstrate frustration, low self-confidence, and a lack of motivation (Missiuna, p. 3). Functional constraints they regularly struggle with include difficulty judging distance of objects, planning and execution of tasks, attention, and anxiety (Barnhart, 2003, p. 725).

This disorder affects 5-6% of school-aged children and is diagnosed more in boys than girls (Cairney, 2010,

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