People with DCD have problems with working memory or following steps. Wikipedia also has a good page on DCD. DS's teacher gave him two lockers so that he can organize his stuff, and put signs on his locker with steps so that he can remember what he is supposed to do. He is "slow" with physical tasks, like even unzipping a backpack, he doesn't necessarily remember how to do this "automatically" like other people might...he probably has to recall each step and if he loses focus, the process might derail and he may forget that he was even attempting to unzip his backpack. Someone did an observation of him as part of his IEP eval and the report sounded like a train wreck, almost comical. He went into the classroom with his winter coat still on so he had to go back in the hallway and take it off. As he was shuffling around in his backpack, several things fell on the floor. He went back into the classroom and the teacher (or someone) told him to turn in his math homework. DS said aloud "Where's my stuff?!" He had forgotten his folder in his backpack. Back out in the hallway, shuffling thru the backpack. More things fall on the floor. He stopped to chat with some people. By the time he got back into the class, everyone else was sitting down working on math and halfway done with it. It sounds like ADHD but unlike my DD with ADHD, DS is FAST with work, unless it involves a lot of handwriting, and his focus is superb. The other day he brought home about 8 math worksheets--he had done them all during math. He listens well when people speak. He's not hyperactive in any way. So ADHD would be inappropriate--it's more along the lines of executive functioning issues and impaired organizational ability.
DS's private PT and OT both want to exit him because overall he is scoring average on assessments after 6+ months of therapy. He will probably regress in his skills--it happens every time.
