# DCD vs Tourette Syndrome in Young Children Canonical: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-is-the-difference-between-developmental-coordination-disorder-and-tourette-syndrome-in-young-children Publisher: Pinnacle Blooms Network / Bharath Healthcare Laboratories Private Limited DCD and Tourette Syndrome can both produce unusual movements, but they differ at the root. DCD is a difficulty coordinating voluntary movement — a child knows what to do but does it clumsily, affecting dressing, writing, catching and running. Tourette Syndrome is about tics: sudden, involuntary, repeated movements or sounds the child cannot easily stop, often coming in bursts. The simplest distinction is that DCD shows up when a child tries to do a task, while tics appear on their own. A child may have both, so a careful clinical assessment matters — DCD is supported through occupational therapy, while tic concerns are best reviewed medically first. *One is about how the body moves; the other is about movements and sounds the body does on its own — and telling them apart brings real relief.* ## In short **Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD)** and **Tourette Syndrome** can both look like 'extra' or 'awkward' movements in a young child, but they are quite different. DCD is a difficulty with *planning and coordinating* movement — a child knows what they want to do but their body struggles to do it smoothly, so buttons, scissors, running and catching feel clumsy. Tourette Syndrome is about **tics** — sudden, repeated, involuntary movements or sounds (a blink, a head jerk, a throat-clear, a small noise) that the child cannot easily control. In short: DCD is *can't do the movement well*; Tourette is *can't stop a movement happening*. ## How they differ in everyday life In **DCD**, the struggle is with *purposeful* skills. You might notice a child who trips often, drops things, finds dressing or holding a pencil hard, takes longer to learn to ride a bike, or seems to 'try hard' yet stays clumsy. The movements they *want* to make come out untidy — there's nothing sudden or involuntary about it. In **Tourette Syndrome**, the movements are *involuntary and patterned*. Tics tend to come in bursts, can change over time, often increase with excitement or tiredness, and may briefly be held back before returning. They include motor tics (blinking, shrugging, jerking) and vocal tics (sniffing, throat-clearing, repeated sounds). A child's actual coordination for everyday tasks is usually fine. A simple way to hold it: DCD shows up when a child is *trying to do something*; tics show up *on their own*, often when the child isn't focusing on a task at all. A child can, of course, have both — which is exactly why a careful clinical look matters. ## When to seek a look If you notice persistent clumsiness affecting daily skills and learning, a developmental check is worthwhile. If you notice repeated, involuntary movements or sounds lasting several weeks — especially vocal tics — speak with your paediatrician, as tic conditions are best reviewed medically first. Either way, you don't have to work out the label yourself. ## The Pinnacle way This is general guidance, not a diagnosis — a clinical [AbilityScore®](/ask/what-is-the-abilityscore-and-how-is-it-calculated) and any diagnosis are formed only at a Pinnacle Blooms Network centre, under qualified clinician care, never from an app or form. Our team observes how your child moves, plans and copes, and supports coordination through [occupational therapy](https://www.pinnacleblooms.org/best-occupational-therapy-center-india-proven-improvement-rate), while guiding families on next steps for tic-related concerns. Learn more about [Developmental Coordination Disorder](https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/developmental-coordination-disorder) and explore our wider [services](/). ## Trusted sources The American Academy of Pediatrics and HealthyChildren on motor development and tic disorders in children; the WHO ICD-11 framework on developmental motor coordination disorder and tic disorders. **Next step —** Unsure what you're seeing? Book a developmental screening and let a clinician tell the two apart and guide your next move. ## Sources - HealthyChildren (AAP) — motor development and tics in children: https://www.healthychildren.org - WHO ICD-11 — developmental motor coordination disorder and tic disorders: https://icd.who.int - American Academy of Pediatrics — child development: https://www.aap.org ## Connected topics and perspectives - Parent: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/stakeholder/parent - Motor: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/domain/motor - Definition: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/intent/definition - Screen: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/lifecycle/screen - Book Assessment: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/route/book-assessment - Early Clarity: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/empowerment/early_clarity ## Related question paths ### Understand the subject - Motor Planning Difficulties vs Tourette Syndrome: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-is-the-difference-between-motor-planning-difficulties-and-tourette-syndrome-in-young-children - Dysgraphia vs Tourette Syndrome in Young Children: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-is-the-difference-between-dysgraphia-written-expression-impairment-and-tourette-syndrome-in-young-children - Developmental Language Disorder vs Tourette Syndrome in young children: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-is-the-difference-between-developmental-language-disorder-and-tourette-syndrome-in-young-children - Fine Motor Delay vs Tourette Syndrome in Young Children: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-is-the-difference-between-fine-motor-delay-and-tourette-syndrome-in-young-children - Difference between ADHD and Tourette Syndrome in young children: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-is-the-difference-between-adhd-and-tourette-syndrome-in-young-children - Social Communication Difficulties vs Tourette Syndrome: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-is-the-difference-between-social-communication-difficulties-and-tourette-syndrome-in-young-children - DCD vs Childhood Apraxia of Speech: the difference: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-is-the-difference-between-developmental-coordination-disorder-and-childhood-apraxia-of-speech-in-young-children - DCD vs Childhood Epilepsy in Young Children: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-is-the-difference-between-developmental-coordination-disorder-and-childhood-epilepsy-in-young-children - DCD vs Childhood Sleep Difficulties in Young Children: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-is-the-difference-between-developmental-coordination-disorder-and-childhood-sleep-difficulties-in-young-children - DCD vs DLD: the difference in young children: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-is-the-difference-between-developmental-coordination-disorder-and-developmental-language-disorder-in-young-children - DCD vs Developmental Regression in Young Children: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-is-the-difference-between-developmental-coordination-disorder-and-developmental-regression-in-young-children - DCD vs Developmental Trauma in Young Children: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-is-the-difference-between-developmental-coordination-disorder-and-developmental-trauma-in-young-children