Background: Current Care Guidelines are evidence-based clinical practice guidelines covering important issues related to Finnish health, medical treatment, and prevention of diseases. They are intended as a basis for treatment decisions and can be used by physicians, healthcare professionals, and citizens. The Finnish Medical Society Duodecim develops the guidelines in association with medical specialist societies.
Objectives: The Finnish national guideline for Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) aims to improve the early identification of children with DCD, standardize diagnostics and rehabilitation, improve the functioning of children and adolescents, and prevent or reduce long-term psychosocial problems.
Methods: The international clinical practice guideline for DCD (Blank et al. 2019) gave the initial impetus for starting the process in Finland. The Current Care Guideline for DCD is based on the ICD-10/11 criteria and the recent research on DCD and assessment and treatment practices found to be appropriate in Finland for children who have been diagnosed with motor difficulties. An expert committee of 12 specialists and the Current Care Guidelines editorial team produced the first national evidence-based DCD guideline, which is undergoing a public opinion round before publication in spring 2024.
Results: The guideline includes 20 different recommendation statements ranging from standardized diagnostic procedures to multiprofessional collaboration and rehabilitation according to the ICF framework. In Finland, the ICD-10 classification is used in healthcare. Accordingly, a diagnosis of DCD is now included in Code F82 Specific developmental disorder of motor function. In the updated ICD-11 classification, DCD will be diagnosed under the term Developmental Motor Coordination Disorder (6A04).
Conclusions: The work will raise awareness of DCD in Finland and highlight the perspective of children and adolescents and their families.