The aim of this study was to employ the single case study approach to address unresolved issues in our understanding of Developmental Coordination Disorder. From a large cohort of clinically referred UK primary school children, six boys and one girl were selected to participate. The experiences of each child as he/she journeyed through the process of identification, diagnosis and service provision are discussed in the context of the criteria set out in the "Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders" fourth edition. The results emphasise the variation between children in the outcome of assessments, the variation in interactions between family and professionals over time, and the importance of medical screening as a means of ruling out rare, but potentially serious conditions, that may mimic Developmental Coordination Disorder. The use of a range of motor and non-motor tests allowed us to illustrate overlap between developmental conditions. The study also shows that issues that can sometimes seem rather "academic" actually do affect the lives of children and their families. (Contains 1 table and 1 figure.)