People often ask about DCD and Sensory Integration and processing difficulties. This article reminds us of the importance of thorough assessment. At ASI Wise we would recommend through assessment beyond parent/teacher report – as data that drives intervention ensures therapy is targetted and specific, meaning it is likely to be more effective in addressing difficulties in sensory integration and processing contributing to problems with participation in activities of everyday life like school, self-care eg eating, dressing, washing, play, communication and interaction with others and even sleep.

The aims of this study were to identify sensory processing profiles specific to preschoolers with DCD in a community sample and examine the association of sensory processing problems with motor coordination difficulties in these children. Sixty-three 5-year-old children with DCD and without other neurodevelopmental disorders and 106 age-matched typically developing children participated in this study. Sensory processing problems were assessed using the Sensory Profile. Our results demonstrated problems in wide sensory processing patterns (low registration, sensitivity and avoiding) and areas (auditory, vestibular, touch and oral) in children with DCD compared with typically developing children. Additionally, the association of problems in sensory processing patterns (sensitivity and avoiding) and areas (touch and auditory) with motor coordination difficulties were identified in children with DCD alone. Our findings indicate that sensory processing abnormalities may contribute to the pathophysiology of DCD, suggesting the importance of assessing sensory processing functions in children with DCD.

Mikami, M., Hirota, T., Takahashi, M. et al. (2020) Atypical Sensory Processing Profiles and Their Associations With Motor Problems In Preschoolers With Developmental Coordination Disorder. Child Psychiatry Hum Dev . https://doi.org/10.1007/s10578-020-01013-5

https://sensoryproject.org/app/uploads/2021/03/Mikami_et_al-2020-Child_Psychiatry__Human_Development.pdf

Mikami_et_al-2020-Child_Psychiatry_&_Human_Development