subject: Steps To Overcome Developmental Coordination Disorder With Physiotherapy [print this page] When there is a delay in the development of the motor skills or the child is unable to co ordinate movements, thus making it difficult to perform day- to- day tasks it is termed as Developmental Co ordination Disorder (DCD).
A medical doctor is able to identify the characteristics of such individuals and thus admits the right treatment. For children suffering from this condition, rather than medication, physiotherapy is much more important as it helps to co ordinate movements. Physiotherapist Vancouver offers some tips and suggestions that can help overcome DCD.
Steps Involving Physiotherapy:
The role of a physiotherapist is to re-train the children with DCD and help them co ordinate their movements. The amount of time required for the therapy depends upon child"s condition. Apart from physiotherapy, parents too must follow a program as suggested by the physiotherapist. Inputs from parents help in treating the child early.
" Choose individual sports so that the child is able to do it at his pace
" Choose sports that have repetitive patterns. Such sports are easier to learn as well as help the child to co ordinate movements
" Do not undertake activities that are fast paced as it becomes difficult for the child to follow
" Enroll such students for sports such as cycling, swimming and skiing, as these sports help in promoting co ordination
" Children must be enrolled for activities at a young age as it helps in early treatment of DCD
" Other activities such as coloring and drawing involving repetitive motions
" Climbing steps for motor skill development as well as hand and eye co ordination
" Writing for hand and eye co ordination
" A sequence of tasks, whose difficulty level increases slowly, can be administered to the child which helps to increase motor skills.
" Breaking down of everyday activities in small parts that allow the child to do the task easily. By splitting the task into small parts, the child is able to master each part slowly, thus achieving success.
Consequences of DCD:
Developmental Co ordination Disorder causes the child to disintegrate from society and feels unattached. Overcoming this problem might seem difficult or incurable at first, but help from parents and physiotherapist can bring about a great change. It is important to be patient with a child suffering from DCD as the child himself is in turmoil. Some of the common consequences of DCD include;
" Frustration
" Low self-esteem
" Unhealthy eating habits
" Reduced Fitness levels
" Lack of motivation
" Social awkwardness
" No interest in physical activity
" Less open to new relationships and friendship
Physiotherapist Vancouver suggests not only physiotherapy treatment but also care and love from family and friends. The child must be given equal treatment like others and should not be made to feel different from others. Engaging them in everyday activities is the best method to mould them and make them feel comfortable with their surroundings.
