Specific Developmental Disorder of Motor Function (F82)
DSM-5-TR: Developmental Coordination Disorder
ICD-10-AM and DSM-5-TR may classify conditions differently. Refer to APA and WHO for complete diagnostic criteria.
Key Facts
ICD-10 Range
F80-F89
Australian Prevalence
Developmental coordination disorder affects approximately 5-6% of Australian school-age children. Often co-occurs with ADHD and learning disorders.
Global Prevalence
Prevalence approximately 5-6% of school-age children worldwide.
Duration Requirement
Present from early development
Overview
A disorder in which the main feature is a serious impairment in the development of motor coordination that is not solely explicable by general intellectual disability or any specific congenital or acquired neurological disorder. Motor clumsiness is usually associated with impaired performance on visuospatial tasks.
Diagnostic Criteria (ICD-10)
Core Features
- Serious impairment in development of motor coordination
- Not solely explicable by general intellectual disability or specific congenital or acquired neurological disorder
- Motor clumsiness usually associated with some degree of impaired performance on visuospatial cognitive tasks
Duration
Present from early development
Exclusion Criteria
- Cerebral palsy or other neurological conditions
- Intellectual disability as primary cause (F70-F79)
Classification Boundaries
Includes
- Clumsy child syndrome
- Developmental coordination disorder
- Developmental dyspraxia
Excludes1 (coded elsewhere)
- Abnormalities of gait and mobility (R26)
- Lack of coordination (R27)
Excludes2 (may co-occur)
- Lack of coordination secondary to intellectual disability (F70-F79)
Australian Clinical Context
Developmental coordination disorder is assessed by occupational therapists and paediatricians in Australia. Treatment primarily involves occupational therapy. NDIS may provide support for eligible children. Often co-occurs with ADHD and specific learning disorders.
Medicare (MBS) Pathways
Better Access to Mental Health Care
The primary Medicare pathway for mental health treatment in Australia. Requires a GP Mental Health Treatment Plan (MHTP) referral. Available for any clinically diagnosed mental disorder.
| Provider Type | MBS Items | Session Type |
|---|---|---|
| Clinical Psychologist | 80000–80025 | Psychological therapy (higher rebate) |
| Registered Psychologist | 80100–80123 | Focused psychological strategies |
| Occupational Therapist | 80125–80145 | Focused psychological strategies |
| Social Worker | 80150–80175 | Focused psychological strategies |
| Psychiatrist | 291, 296–299, 300–308 | Psychiatric consultation |
Clinical Psychologist
Registered Psychologist
Occupational Therapist
Social Worker
GP referral items: 2700, 2701, 2715, 2717
Eligibility: Any clinically diagnosed mental disorder as defined by WHO ICD-10 Chapter V. Requires a GP or psychiatrist referral.
Exclusions:
- Intellectual disability (use Complex Neurodevelopmental Disorder pathway or specialist referral)
- Dementia and organic mental disorders (use specialist referral pathway)
- Tobacco use disorder
OT and physiotherapy services may also be accessed through NDIS or CDM allied health items.
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Reference information sourced from MBS Online (mbsonline.gov.au). Item availability, rebates, and eligibility criteria may change. This is not billing advice — always verify current items before claiming. Last verified: April 2026.
Clinical Documentation Notes
DSM-5-TR uses "Developmental Coordination Disorder." Assessment typically involves standardised motor assessments (e.g., Movement ABC). Document impact on daily activities and academic performance.
Related Diagnostic Codes
ICD-10-AM diagnostic codes commonly associated with the Specific Developmental Disorder of Motor Function (F82).
References
- World Health Organization. ICD-10-AM.
- American Psychiatric Association. DSM-5-TR. 2022.
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This tool calculates scores based on published guidelines for professional reference. It does not provide clinical diagnoses. Scores are provided as reference information only and should be interpreted by a qualified practitioner in the context of a comprehensive assessment.
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