Concerns about Developmental Co-ordination Disorder (Dyspraxia)

 

Concerns about deteriorating co-ordination or ataxia

See the guideline on Physical Disability Concerns including Coordination Problems:

 

Refer to Community Paediatricians:

• Evolving physical disabilities
   
• Delayed motor milestones

 

Refer to General Paediatrics:

• Acute developmental deterioration requiring urgent investigation.  Consider discussing with on call Paediatrician depending on clinical judgement.

 

Children aged between 5 to 11 years (up to end of school year 6)

Children in school

SENCO referral via School Based Developmental Co-ordination Disorder (DCD)

Pathway. Please re-direct families to the school.

 

Children who are home-schooled, options include:

• parents complete DCDQ (with or without professional). Completed DCDQ to be sent, alongside parent and GP referral to the Children’s Community Occupational Therapy team via email: rch-tr.ChildrensCommunityTherapy@nhs.net
  
  
• for children with wider neurodiversity concerns, discussion with the Neurodevelopmental Assessment Team might be more appropriate in the first instance, contact via email: cft.ndcornwall@nhs.net

Do NOT refer to Community Paediatricians

 

Children aged under 5 or between 11 to 16 years of age

Referral criteria:

• Evidence of significant and severe functional impairment relating to a co-ordination disorder, OR
   
• Suspected co-ordination disorder,
   
• AND where the functional impairment is significantly out of line with the perceived potential of the child.

 

Minimum required information:

• All referrals should provide specific and detailed information demonstrating the child’s functional difficulties.  

 

Referral process:

• Refer to the Children’s Community Occupational Therapy team via email: rch-tr.ChildrensCommunityTherapy@nhs.net

Do NOT refer to Community Paediatricians

 

Concerns about DCD/dyspraxia in a child with more complex needs

Referral criteria:

• Children or young people with more complex neurodevelopmental needs in whom co-ordination difficulties is one concern of many.

 

Referral process:

• Refer via the Neurodevelopmental Assessment Pathway.

 

GPs have the right to refer via referral letter in the usual way.

 

Please note: 

On referral to the Neurodevelopmental Assessment Pathway, the triage team may suggest that the SENCO refers via the DCD Pathway or that the GP or School makes direct referral to Occupational Therapist using the email address above.

Do NOT refer to Community Paediatricians

 

Page Review Information

Review date	05 December 2025
Next review date	05 December 2027
GP speciality lead	Dr Laura Vines, Dr Melanie Schick
Contributors	Emma Render, Clinical Lead OT / Children’s Community Occupational Therapist Jo Lewis, Consultant Community Paediatrician