{"h1":"ICD-11 Classification of Developmental Coordination Disorder (6A04)","faq":[{"a":"It is 6A04 in ICD-11-MMS, titled Developmental motor coordination disorder, within the Neurodevelopmental disorders grouping.","q":"What is the ICD-11 code for Developmental Coordination Disorder?"},{"a":"It falls in the Neurodevelopmental disorders block (6A00–6A06) of the chapter on mental, behavioural and neurodevelopmental disorders.","q":"Where does 6A04 sit within ICD-11?"},{"a":"A primary nervous-system disease such as cerebral palsy, musculoskeletal or connective-tissue disorder, visual impairment, and intellectual developmental disorder as the better explanation.","q":"What must be excluded before coding 6A04?"},{"a":"Yes. ICD-11 permits multiple co-occurring neurodevelopmental codes where each condition is independently substantiated, and DCD commonly co-occurs with ADHD and learning disorders.","q":"Can DCD be coded alongside ADHD?"}],"lang":"en","slug":"what-is-the-icd-11-classification-for-developmental-coordination-disorder","title":"ICD-11 Classification of Developmental Coordination Disorder (6A04)","entity":{"key":"dcd","kind":"condition","name":"Developmental Coordination Disorder","slug":null},"lenses":[{"kind":"stakeholder","label":"Doctor","value":"doctor"},{"kind":"domain","label":"Motor","value":"motor"},{"kind":"intent","label":"Definition","value":"definition"},{"kind":"lifecycle","label":"Screen","value":"screen"},{"kind":"route","label":"Occupational-Therapy","value":"occupational-therapy"},{"kind":"empowerment","label":"Early Clarity","value":"early_clarity"}],"parent":{"key":"conditions","label":"Conditions"},"related":[{"lang":"en","slug":"what-early-indicators-of-developmental-coordination-disorder-should-a-paediatrician-watch-for","title":"Early Indicators of Developmental Coordination Disorder"},{"lang":"en","slug":"what-is-developmental-coordination-disorder-and-what-does-it-look-like-in-early-childhood","title":"What is Developmental Coordination Disorder, and what does it look like in early childhood?"},{"lang":"en","slug":"what-is-the-icd-11-classification-for-motor-planning-difficulties","title":"ICD-11 Classification for Motor Planning Difficulties"},{"lang":"en","slug":"what-is-developmental-coordination-disorder-and-what-are-its-icd-11-features-in-early-childhood","title":"What is Developmental Coordination Disorder and its ICD-11 features?"},{"lang":"en","slug":"what-is-developmental-coordination-disorder","title":"What is Developmental Coordination Disorder?"},{"lang":"en","slug":"what-is-the-recommended-screening-and-diagnostic-pathway-for-developmental-coordination-disorder-in-children-under-7","title":"DCD screening and diagnostic pathway in children under 7"}],"summary":"In ICD-11-MMS, Developmental Coordination Disorder is coded 6A04 (Developmental motor coordination disorder), within the Neurodevelopmental disorders block. It denotes motor skill acquisition and execution markedly below age expectation, with early onset and functional impact, not explained by a neurological, sensory or intellectual condition.","answer_md":"*When a child's motor skills lag behind every other domain, ICD-11 gives the pattern a precise home: 6A04.*\n\n## In short\nDevelopmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) is classified in **ICD-11-MMS under code 6A04**, sitting within the **Neurodevelopmental disorders** grouping (block 6A00–6A06). It denotes a marked delay in acquiring and executing coordinated motor skills, with motor performance well below that expected for chronological age and learning opportunity, presenting in the early developmental period and significantly interfering with activities of daily living, academic work or play. The deficit is not better explained by a disease of the nervous system, a musculoskeletal or connective-tissue disorder, sensory impairment, or intellectual developmental disorder.\n\n## The classification, in detail\nWithin ICD-11's restructured neurodevelopmental chapter, **6A04 Developmental motor coordination disorder** is a discrete diagnostic entity rather than a residual category. The defining criteria mirror the four-part construct familiar from DSM-5:\n\n- **Onset** in the early developmental period, though difficulties may only become fully apparent when demands exceed capacity.\n- **Significantly below expected** acquisition and execution of gross and fine motor skills given the individual's age.\n- **Functional impact** on daily living, schooling, vocational tasks, leisure or play.\n- **Exclusion** of a primary neurological condition (e.g. cerebral palsy), visual impairment, or intellectual developmental disorder as the better explanation.\n\nDCD frequently **co-occurs** with ADHD, specific learning disorders and developmental language disorder — ICD-11 permits and encourages multiple co-occurring neurodevelopmental codes where each is clinically substantiated. The WHO framing aligns with the ICF model: coordination is read as functioning-in-context, not as a fixed trait.\n\n## When to refer\nConsider referral where a school-aged child shows persistent clumsiness, delayed handwriting or self-care motor skills, or marked difficulty with tasks such as buttoning, cutlery, catching or cycling — disproportionate to overall ability and not attributable to a known neurological cause. A paediatric occupational-therapy and motor assessment clarifies the profile and rules out mimics.\n\n## The Pinnacle way\nAbilityScore® is part of Pinnacle’s developmental assessment. Diagnosis, where needed, requires an appropriately qualified healthcare professional — never from an online form. Our clinicians map the motor profile against co-occurring neurodevelopmental domains before any 6A04 designation is considered. Explore [occupational therapy](https://www.pinnacleblooms.org/best-occupational-therapy-center-india-proven-improvement-rate), understand [how the AbilityScore® is established](/ask/what-is-the-abilityscore-and-how-is-it-calculated), or begin at our [network](/).\n\n## Trusted sources\nWHO ICD-11 for Mortality and Morbidity Statistics, entity 6A04 Developmental motor coordination disorder; WHO International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF).\n\n**Next step —** Refer a child with persistent motor coordination concerns to a Pinnacle clinician for a structured motor and developmental assessment.\n\nThis is general information, not a diagnosis — individual assessment and diagnosis require an appropriately qualified healthcare professional.","canonical":"https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-is-the-icd-11-classification-for-developmental-coordination-disorder","editorial":{"reviewed_at":"2026-06-11T20:12:18.613642+00:00","reviewed_by":null,"developed_by":"SETU Consortium · Pinnacle Blooms Network"},"alternates":[{"href":"https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-is-the-icd-11-classification-for-developmental-coordination-disorder","lang":"en","indexable":true},{"href":"https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-is-the-icd-11-classification-for-developmental-coordination-disorder-te","lang":"te","indexable":true}],"dimensions":[{"key":"conditions","label":"Conditions"}],"meta_title":"ICD-11 Code for DCD: 6A04 Explained","meta_robots":"index, follow, max-image-preview:large","everyday_tip":"When documenting, record co-occurring ADHD, learning or language disorders separately — ICD-11 supports multiple neurodevelopmental codes where each is substantiated.","published_at":"2026-06-10T10:52:00.07543+00:00","reading_paths":[{"key":"understand","items":[{"lang":"en","slug":"what-is-developmental-coordination-disorder-and-what-are-its-icd-11-features-in-early-childhood","title":"What is Developmental Coordination Disorder and its ICD-11 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