Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) is characterised by a severe developmental impairment of the motor coordination, which is not solely caused by mental retardation or specific neurological damage. DCD approximately affects 5 to 6% of school children. It may cause significant difficulties in activities of daily living and lead to consequences in adulthood. Children and adolescents with DCD are primarily being referred to paediatric occupational therapists and physiotherapists. The report addresses the research questions, which recommendations on DCD (for screening, diagnostic testing, indication and form of therapy) are provided in evidence-based guidelines, which differentiation criteria between occupational therapy and other forms of treatment are being discussed and which of the recommended tools can be introduced in Austria with regard to language (German) and standardisation/adaption (central Europe).

Depending on the respective research question, literature was identified by a systematic and/or manual search.

A population based screening for DCD is not recommended due to the lack of sufficiently sensitive screening tools. For DCD diagnosis, all information sources recommend the use of standardised assessment tools. However, currently there is no gold standard available. Of 85 identified assessment tools, 12 have been both translated into German and standardised/adapted for Central Europe. Recommended interventions for children and adolescents with DCD should target the individual activity- and participation-level of the affected person. Differentiation criteria for various forms of therapy could not be identified.