What are the 5 C's of DCD?

September 22, 2025 •

3 min read

According to research, Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) affects approximately 5-10% of school-aged children, making it a common but often unrecognized condition. To help parents and professionals understand its multifaceted nature, a framework known as what are the 5 C's of DCD? has been developed.

Quick Summary

The 5 C's of DCD are Clumsy, Common, Chronic, Co-occurring, and Consequences, providing a quick-reference guide to the key features and impact of Developmental Coordination Disorder.

Key Points

Clumsiness is a core symptom: Children with DCD are noticeably uncoordinated, which is not due to carelessness but to motor planning issues.
DCD is a common disorder: Affecting 5-10% of children, it is a prevalent but often under-recognized condition in classrooms.
It is a chronic condition: DCD does not disappear with age; it is a lifelong challenge that requires ongoing management and support.
Co-occurring conditions are frequent: DCD often appears alongside other neurodevelopmental issues like ADHD, learning disabilities, and anxiety.
Consequences affect quality of life: Unmanaged DCD can lead to low self-esteem, social isolation, and reduced physical fitness.
Diagnosis is clinical and multi-faceted: A formal DCD diagnosis involves professional assessment using specific criteria and tools.
Intervention is key for management: Therapies like OT and PT, along with educational support, are crucial for improving motor skills and well-being.

Understanding the 5 C's of Developmental Coordination Disorder

Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD), also known as dyspraxia, is a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by poor motor coordination that affects a child’s daily life and academic performance. Often misunderstood as mere clumsiness, DCD is a complex condition with significant long-term effects. To simplify recognition and management, experts have outlined the what are the 5 C's of DCD? framework.

The First C: Clumsy

Clumsiness is a defining characteristic of DCD, where children may appear physically awkward, frequently bumping into objects or dropping things. This is linked to motor planning difficulties, affecting both fine and gross motor skills. Fine motor challenges can include difficulties with handwriting or using scissors, while gross motor issues might involve problems with running or catching a ball.

The Second C: Common

DCD is a prevalent condition, impacting 5% to 10% of school-aged children, often affecting more males than females. Despite its frequency, DCD is frequently underdiagnosed or misattributed to other factors, highlighting the need for increased awareness.

The Third C: Chronic Health Condition

DCD is a lifelong condition, not something children outgrow. While manifestations may change over time, ongoing support and interventions help individuals manage challenges and develop coping strategies.

The Fourth C: Co-occurring Conditions

DCD often appears alongside other conditions, including ADHD, specific learning disorders, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), and speech and language delays. Recognizing these co-occurring conditions is important for comprehensive support.

The Fifth C: Consequences

If not properly managed, DCD can lead to secondary consequences impacting a child's psychological and social well-being. These can include low self-esteem, anxiety, depression, social isolation due to avoidance of physical activities, and reduced physical fitness.

Comparing DCD with Typical Development


Feature	DCD	Typical Development
Motor Skill Acquisition	Significantly delayed and requires much more practice and repetition.	Acquired relatively easily and progresses predictably with age.
Motor Performance	Marked by clumsiness, slowness, and inaccuracy.	Smooth, coordinated, and efficient movements.
Handwriting	Often messy, laborious, and slow, affecting academic productivity.	Develops with practice, resulting in legible and fluid writing.
Participation	Avoidance of physical activities and group sports due to difficulty or low confidence.	Active and eager participation in age-appropriate play and sports.
Self-Esteem	Often lower, with a higher risk of anxiety and frustration.	Generally healthy, with confidence built through successful experiences.

How DCD is Diagnosed

DCD diagnosis follows criteria from the DSM-5 and involves a team of professionals. Key criteria include motor skills substantially below age level, significant interference with daily activities and academics, symptom onset in the early developmental period, and the exclusion of other conditions. Objective assessments like the MABC-2 and parent questionnaires such as the DCDQ are used. For more information on assessment, visit CanChild Centre for Childhood Disability Research.

Treatment and Management of DCD

Managing DCD involves a multidisciplinary approach focusing on improving motor skills and addressing associated impacts. Interventions include:

Occupational Therapy (OT): Helps with fine motor skills, self-care, and organization.
Physical Therapy (PT): Works on gross motor skills, balance, and coordination.
Educational Support: Provides school accommodations like using computers or extended time.
Task-Oriented Intervention: Focuses on practicing specific challenging motor tasks.
Psychosocial Support: Addresses emotional and social effects like low self-esteem.

Conclusion

The what are the 5 C's of DCD? framework—Clumsy, Common, Chronic, Co-occurring, and Consequences—offers a clear understanding of Developmental Coordination Disorder. Recognizing these aspects allows for early intervention, comprehensive assessment, and tailored support, which are vital for helping individuals with DCD manage challenges and succeed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Developmental Coordination Disorder, or DCD, is a neurodevelopmental condition that causes difficulties with motor skills and coordination. Children with DCD struggle to learn and execute motor tasks that most children pick up naturally, leading to clumsiness.

The 5 C's—Clumsy, Common, Chronic, Co-occurring, and Consequences—provide a straightforward framework for recognizing the key characteristics and impacts of DCD. It helps move past the superficial observation of clumsiness to understand the deeper, long-term implications.

No, while clumsiness is a hallmark of DCD, many children go through a clumsy phase. A DCD diagnosis requires a persistent and significant level of motor skill deficit that interferes with daily life, not explained by other conditions, and beginning in the early developmental period.

No, DCD is a chronic condition and there is no cure. However, with consistent and appropriate therapeutic interventions and support, individuals can learn effective strategies to manage their motor difficulties and lead fulfilling lives.

DCD frequently co-occurs with other conditions such as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), specific learning disorders, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), and speech and language delays.

The persistent challenges with motor tasks and potential for social rejection can lead to significant psychological consequences. These may include low self-esteem, anxiety, frustration, and in some cases, depression.

Management for DCD is typically provided by a multidisciplinary team. This can include pediatricians, occupational therapists (for fine motor skills and daily tasks), physical therapists (for gross motor skills), and educational specialists.