What Is Clumsiness?
Clumsiness is characterized by motor coordination problems
with daily activities.
Alternative Names
Awkward, awkwardness, canât control movements, clumsiness
syndrome, clumsy.
Overview
Clumsiness is a common problem in otherwise healthy children
with normal intelligence. Motor coordination problems may affect the ability to
perform age-appropriate activities, like dressing and running. Clumsy children
may be at risk for academic and social problems. A child who has difficulties
performing in sports and social situations may experience low self-esteem.
Clumsy children may appear restless due to difficulties balancing and
stabilizing their bodies. Clumsy children may present with poor muscle tone and
posture. Working with teachers and psychotherapists to identify and treat
stress, anxiety, and victimization will help improve developmental outcomes
long term.
In adults, clumsiness is most often acquired. It may reflect
an underlying medical problem. Difficulty with vision or the middle ear many
manifest itself as clumsiness, as may the onset of neurological diseases or
other medical problems with neurological components.
Associated Diagnoses
Associated diagnoses include:
brain tumorautismalcohol withdrawal deliriumhypothermiaepilepsyGuillain-Barre syndromehead injurymultiple sclerosisalcoholismbrain cancerdevelopmental coordination
disorderencephalitisReyeâs syndromeschizophreniaseizuresmarijuana dependencestrokeopioid dependenceside effects of medicationsWernicke Korsakoff syndromeHuntingtonâs chorearestless legs syndrome
Diagnosis and Treatment
A thorough evaluation by a
doctor is required for clumsiness. They may then give you a referral to an
occupational therapist and a multidisciplinary pediatric team. Clumsiness that
is a symptom or complication of other medical disorders may be treated with
occupational and physical therapy. The treatment will depend on the diagnosis.
When To Call Your Doctor
Call your doctor if you are
showing signs of clumsiness or if you have seen signs of clumsiness in your
child that are not attributed to a known cause or that cannot be easily
explained.
Source: http://www.healthline.com