Which statements about Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) are true?

• A. Onset is in the early developmental period; motor skills significantly interfere with daily living; low muscle tone is commonly observed
• B. Onset is in adolescence; no impact on daily living; high muscle tone
• C. DCD is unrelated to motor skills
• D. DCD only affects academic performance

Answer: (A)

Developmental Coordination Disorder is a neurodevelopmental condition where motor coordination difficulties begin in early childhood and persist, significantly impacting daily activities and participation. The hallmark is not just being a bit clumsy but having motor skills that interfere with self-care, chores, dressing, handwriting, and participation in play or sports. Low muscle tone or hypotonia can be observed in some children with DCD, especially in younger years, reflecting broader motor control challenges rather than a primary tone disorder. This combination—early onset, clear impact on daily living, and frequent association with lower tone in early development—best fits the disorder.

The other options don’t align with DCD: starting in adolescence, with no daily-life impact, contradicts the early onset and functional impairment; saying DCD is unrelated to motor skills ignores the defining feature of the condition; and stating it only affects academic performance misses the broader impact on daily activities and participation.