‘The world is just so fast, and I’m not fast… it’s just really, really difficult to keep up’: A qualitative exploration of the lived experience of adults with Developmental Coordination Disorder

Background: Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) is an under-recognised neurodevelopmental disorder impacting 5-6% of the population. There is a growing evidence base showing the deleterious impacts of poor motor skill development, however there is a distinct lack of research gathering in-depth insights which explore the impact of DCD across the lifespan. Methods: Ten lived experience interviews (adults with a diagnosis of DCD/ Dyspraxia) were undertaken online, lasting 30-45 minutes. Participants were recruited both nationally and internationally to understand cultural differences. Lived experience interviews focused on experiences in primary care, education, friendships, wellbeing, employment and romantic relationships. Data were transcribed and analysed using inductive thematic analysis. Results: Emergent themes highlighted a major lack of awareness in all life domains, and difficulty navigating health, education and workplace systems for support, resulting in relative abandonment and a lack of validation within their lived experience of DCD. Conclusion: Individuals with DCD often feel alone, isolated and misunderstood in a world which presents challenges for them across all aspects of life. There is an urgent need for the profile of DCD to be raised by insider voices as for many, DCD often transcends diagnostic criteria to wider challenges, for example executive functioning. Fundamentally, more needs to be done to ensure a lifespan approach to DCD, to allow greater opportunities for adults with a diagnosis to thrive alongside their ‘neurotypical’ peers.