Resources - DCD Australia

Parents

The first information sheet below is a resource for parents that explains what DCD is, the process of obtaining a diagnosis, evidence-based therapies available in Australia, how to support your children at school, along with supporting your child’s physical and emotional development. The second information sheet explains the signs of poor mental health in individuals impacted by DCD and recommends ways in which you can seek support for yourself or your loved one.

Educators

The following information sheets are resources for teachers to utilise in the school setting. There is a general information sheet that explains what DCD is, difficulties experienced in the classroom and playground, how to support these difficulties, and recommendations for teachers should they be concerned about a child’s movement. In addition to the general information sheet, we have worked with allied health professionals and teachers to develop some targeted resources on 1. handwriting, 2. classroom set-up, and 3. physical education.

You will also find some downloadable documents detailing ways to support those with DCD with handwriting and general classroom accommodations and to navigate high school (including accommodations for specialist subjects).

The below resources have been created as a part of Awareness Week campaigns and may be useful for teachers. These downloadable documents detail ways to support those with DCD with handwriting and general classroom accommodations and to navigate high school (including accommodations for specialist subjects) and university.

Medical & Allied Health

The following information sheet is for medical and allied health professionals diagnosing and providing therapy to people with DCD. This information sheet explains what DCD is, the internationally recommended and accepted diagnostic criteria and process for diagnosing DCD, evidenced-based interventions, along with the secondary impacts of the condition.

Our Advocacy Work

DCD Australia works with the DCD community to advocate for better outcomes for those impacted by DCD. Resources relating to this advocacy are available for viewing and download here by clicking on the image below. Please note that these documents often provide personal statements from those in the DCD community. These statements may be upsetting and difficult to read.

Awareness Week Resources

All of the resources from Awareness Weeks are available in PDF form by clicking on the images below. You are welcome to use these resources for advocacy and training, but we request that the DCD Australia logo is retained on all documents and that DCD Australia are acknowledged as the source.

You can also access the recording of our 2023 Webinar on Education by clicking on the image below.

Resource Links

Animal Fun (an evidence-based movement program for children aged 3-6 years)

CanChild (a Canadian research centre that shares a lot of DCD-related resources)

Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists Advocacy Toolkit

DCD Kids (a parent-led organisation in Canada)

Developmental Coordination Disorder: A Resource for Parents, Teachers and Clinicians booklet

International Society of Research and Advocacy for Developmental Coordination Disorder (ISRA-DCD)

Movement Matters (aimed at making DCD research accessible, the website provides plain-english summaries of recent DCD-related research in infographic form)

Sometimes I Find It Hard to Move My Body (proceeds from the sale of this children’s book are donated to DCD Australia)

Watch Me Do It (a free library of demonstration videos to help children with DCD learn everyday movement skills – available for use by therapists and families)