Developmental Coordination Disorder Assessment Reports: A Documentation Guide
Summary
Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) is under-diagnosed in Australia despite affecting around 5% of school-aged children. A defensible DCD report names the four DSM-5-TR criteria, cites the standardised motor assessment used (typically the MABC-2), and translates findings into school-actionable adjustments. This guide outlines the structure.
DSM-5-TR criteria
DCD diagnosis requires all four:
- Criterion A — acquisition and execution of coordinated motor skills substantially below expected for age, given opportunity for skill learning and use.
- Criterion B — interferes with activities of daily living, academic achievement, prepocational/vocational activities, leisure, and play.
- Criterion C — onset in early developmental period.
- Criterion D — not better explained by intellectual disability, visual impairment, or a neurological condition affecting movement.
Report structure
- Identifying information and referral.
- Sources — parent interview, child observation, teacher report, GP/paediatrician medical history.
- Developmental and medical history — pregnancy, birth, motor milestones (rolling, sitting, crawling, walking), medical history.
- Functional status — daily living skills (dressing, eating, toileting), school skills (handwriting, scissors, ball skills), recreational participation.
- Standardised motor assessment — MABC-2 (or BOT-2) total score, percentile, traffic-light interpretation.
- Additional assessment as indicated — handwriting (HHE, ETCH), visual-motor integration (Beery VMI).
- Differential diagnosis — exclude visual/hearing impairment, intellectual disability, cerebral palsy, neurological conditions.
- Diagnostic conclusion citing the four criteria.
- Functional impact summary.
- Recommendations — school, home, community, follow-up.
School-actionable recommendations
- Handwriting accommodations (slant board, pencil grip trial, alternative tools).
- Assessment accommodations (typed response, scribe, extended time).
- PE and sport adaptations.
- Social-skills support (DCD often co-occurs with social participation challenges).
NDIS context
Where DCD is severe and persistent, an OT report supporting an NDIS access request must address the disability-access criteria — specifically functional capacity in the six NDIS domains.
Related reading
How we review this guide
Library guides reference original Australian source authorities — not secondary commentary — and are updated when source material changes. Each guide cites the regulator, item descriptor, or governing standard it draws from so you can verify it directly.
- Sources checked
- • Original Australian source authorities and peer-reviewed guidance
- Review cadence
- Reviewed annually and whenever a cited source authority publishes a material change. Last reviewed .
- Not advice
- Reference content for Australian practitioners and education staff. Not legal, clinical, or billing advice — verify against your governing body and current source documents.
Keywords: developmental coordination disorder assessment, dcd diagnostic report ot, movement assessment battery for children, dcd school adjustments, dcd ndis report
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