Jill G. Zwicker

PhD, OT(C)

Investigator, BC Children's Hospital
Associate Director, Research Community, BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute
Canada Research Chair in Pediatric Brain Development and Rehabilitation

Children with developmental coordination disorder (DCD) have difficulty learning motor skills and performing activities of daily living, such as using a knife and fork, printing, and riding a bicycle. The cause of DCD is not well understood, but our research has shown that children with DCD use their brain differently and show subtle differences in their brain pathways compared to neurotypical children. Our research program aims to further unravel the brain differences in children with DCD in an effort to better understand the disorder and to inform rehabilitation interventions for these children.

DCD is very common (affecting one in 20 children) but is under-recognized and under-diagnosed. Our research program aims to increase awareness of DCD, build capacity of health care providers to recognize, assess, and diagnose the condition, and provide evidence for effective interventions to improve outcomes for children with DCD and their families. Our work includes authentic engagement with parents and advocacy efforts to increase supports and services for children with DCD.