06 Jan Physical Therapy for Development Coordination Syndrome DCS

Physical Therapy for Development Coordination Syndrome DCS

Development coordination syndrome (DCS) is often confused for ADHD and other developmental disorders due mostly to the difficulties DCS presents children when they have difficulty writing or performing coordination based activities like sports or climbing stairs. DCS affects the area of the brain responsible for learning as well as the child’s motor skills, which involves their ability to control the movement of their body.

DCS is referred to by many different names with the most common being dyspraxia, any disorder or syndrome relating to the development of motor skills is synonymous with DCS. The primary reason DCS is confused with psychological developmental disorders is because of what it can affect. DCS can affect children verbally, they may have trouble with school work or with hand held items. Unfortunately, DCS isn’t recognized until a child is performing task like writing, getting dressed, or throwing a ball. Adults can also have DCS and in the same manner as children they can be misdiagnosed with a psychological disorder.

There is no medication for DCS, but through physical therapy DCS can be treated. A physical therapist will able to come up with exercises  and games that help the child build on, in order to  help improve strength, and help the child learn to plan movement. They may also use balance training to help with an awkward walking motion the child may have.  The therapist may also work with the parents to teach the child’s task like catching a ball.

Lake Country Physical Therapy located in Canandaigua, NY has capable therapists who are qualified to perform all of the necessary balance and muscle strength training to assist people living with DCS.  Please feel free to give us a call to see how we can help you if you or a loved one is living with DCS.