What term is used to refer to deficits in muscular coordination that are diagnosed during childhood?

The term commonly used to refer to deficits in muscular coordination diagnosed during childhood is "motor skills disorder." This term encompasses a range of issues pertaining to the development and execution of coordinated movements. Children with motor skills disorders may struggle with both fine and gross motor skills, which involve smaller movements (typically with the hands and fingers) and larger movements (like running or jumping), respectively.

Motor skills disorders pertain specifically to the difficulties in muscle control and coordination required for completing physical tasks, whether they are intricate or broad in scale. Diagnosing these disorders typically involves a comprehensive evaluation of the child's motor abilities and how they compare with typical developmental milestones. Understanding motor skills disorders is essential for many children, as they play a critical role in everyday activities and overall development.

Developmental delay refers more broadly to a delay in reaching developmental milestones rather than specifically motor coordination issues. Fine motor skills deficit and gross motor skills deficit are more specific categories that fall under the broader umbrella of motor skills disorder, focusing solely on either the small and precise movements or the larger, whole-body movements. Thus, motor skills disorder is the overarching term that effectively encompasses the different types of motor coordination deficits that may arise during childhood.