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AT SCHOOL

Living with DCD

The most important to know about living with DCD is that its symptoms can be managed. There will certainly be challenges revolving around physical coordination, planning and executive function, but with some help, those with DCD should lead a life that meets that individual’s full potential.

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  • At School

Copying from the blackboard can become a laborious task. Note taking may be difficult because it requires processing verbal information and writing quickly, both at the same time. Students may find they write shorter essays or exam answers, simply because it hurts to hold a pen.

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  • Art classes

Students with DCD often have difficulty with holding scissors or manipulating paintbrushes or pencils to create specific pieces of art.

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  • Physical Education classes

Children with DCD often have problems with motor coordination. It is more difficult for them to run, hop, jump, catch or kick a ball and will take them longer to learn these skills.

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  • Processing speed

Children with DCD are often slower to process information. It may take them longer to understand new information, or may take them longer to come to an answer, especially in exam conditions. It does not mean they do not know the work; it just takes them longer to express it

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  • Organisational skills
Students may frequently forget instructions or homework. They may take longer to do their work because they cannot organise their thoughts, or conversely, they may finish their work extremely fast because planning for longer answers is too difficult. This is usually evident when writing reports or essays.
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  • Sitting still

Children with DCD often need to move. They like to swing their arms and legs. This issue is often exacerbated if the child has a co-existing condition such as ADHD.

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  • Concentration
Students often have a poor attention span. They find it difficult to focus on one thing for more than a few minutes. Some students may need more personal attention to guide them through work.
  • Suggestions


With a formal diagnosis of DCD, schools can make accommodation for many of the above issues. For example:

  • Teachers can offer additional time for students to complete class work, homework and exams
  • Teachers can provide more worksheets to reduce the amount of writing for students
  • Students can be offered a keyboard to type, rather than write answers
  • Students can also be offered speech-to-text software for longer pieces of writing and exams
  • Flexi-bands can be added to chairs in classrooms to allow students to move discreetly
  • Standing tables can be offered to students to allow for small amounts of movement in class
  • Teachers can often more encouragement and repetition to help students learn