According to University of Notre Dame professor Beth Hands, living with DCD not only affects a person’s physical wellbeing, but also their mental health.
‘Imagine no one wanted to play with you, you were bullied and ostracised, and unable to play in the sporting teams, which is a wonderful form of socialisation, particularly during adolescence,’ she said.
‘Research has shown children and adolescents with DCD have lower self perceptions, higher anxiety levels and incidence of depressions and lower self esteem.’
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READ NOWThe condition will be the topic of discussion at a seminar at Notre Dame next month titled Moving for the Future: Living with Developmental Co-ordination Disorder.
Dr Hands will be joined at the forum by a number of professors from Notre Dame, Curtin University and the Netherlands, as well as Jodie Armstrong, the research co-ordinator at Developmental Occupational Therapy Inc.
She said the forum was aimed at teaching parents, families and health professionals more about the disorder.
‘A panel of six speakers will present different aspects of our work,’ she said.
‘We also have an international guest, Assistant Professor Marja Cantell, from The Netherlands. We hope to raise awareness of the condition because many are unaware that poor motor co-ordination is a health concern.’