What is a recommended intervention approach for treating children with developmental coordination disorder?

A process-oriented treatment approach is highly recommended for treating children with developmental coordination disorder (DCD) because it focuses on the underlying processes that contribute to motor coordination difficulties. This approach emphasizes understanding and improving the child’s movement patterns through exploration, practice, and feedback, allowing for meaningful engagement in activities.

By targeting the process, therapists can tailor interventions to meet the individual needs of children, enhancing their motor skill development rather than just working on outcomes. This method encourages children to actively participate and find solutions to their motor challenges, leading to better retention of skills and more functional performance in daily tasks.

In contrast, focusing solely on group activities may not address individual needs and could overlook specific developmental challenges each child faces. Avoiding physical activity altogether would hinder children from developing motor skills essential for daily life. Relying exclusively on verbal instructions may not be effective since many children with DCD benefit from visual and tactile cues, which help bridge the gap between understanding and executing movements.