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Movement disorders in children: causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment
Last reviewed: 07.07.2025
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Synonym: developmental dyspraxia.
A disorder whose main feature is a disturbance in the development of motor coordination. The disorder cannot be explained by mental retardation or any specific congenital or acquired neurological disorders.
ICD-10 code
F82 Specific developmental disorders of motor function.
Epidemiology
The prevalence is about 6% among children aged 5 to 11 years. Boys predominate among patients.
Causes and pathogenesis
Possible etiological factors are divided into two groups: developmental factors and factors that change brain structures. The developmental hypothesis suggests that the disorder is caused by a disruption in the connection between the cortical and executive motor systems, as well as by different degrees of their maturation. According to the organic theory, minimal brain damage creates a predisposition to the development of motor function disorders.
Symptoms
Dynamic and kinesthetic praxis disorders are observed. In early childhood, motor awkwardness manifests itself in all areas of activity that require coordination. The gait is unsteady, children often stumble and hit obstacles, learn to run more slowly, and develop motor-related self-service skills late (buttoning buttons, tying shoelaces, etc.). Underdeveloped drawing and graphic skills often become a problem during the initial learning period - poor handwriting, failure to follow the line, slow work pace. The degree of impairment varies from fine motor impairment to gross motor incoordination. In older age, secondary disorders are often noted (low self-esteem, emotional and behavioral disorders).
Treatment
A complex of neuropsychological methods for correcting motor dysfunction and modified methods of perceptual motor learning. Secondary emotional and behavioral disorders require psychotherapeutic and adequate drug treatment by a psychiatrist.
Forecast
With a clear tendency to compensate for motor function disorders in general, motor awkwardness persists in adolescence and throughout adulthood.
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