What are Dyspraxia and Apraxia?
Dyspraxia and apraxia are both neurological motor planning disorders.
They affect how the brain:
- Plans movement
- Coordinates movement
- Executes voluntary actions
Key difference:
- Apraxia = complete difficulty or inability to carry out planned movements
- Dyspraxia = partial difficulty with coordination and movement planning
Apraxia
Apraxia
What it is
Apraxia is a condition where a person:
- Understands what they want to do
- Has working muscles
- But cannot complete voluntary movements
Key features
- Inability to perform purposeful movements
- Difficulty with learned actions (e.g., waving, writing)
- Can affect speech (speech apraxia)
Causes
- Often caused by brain injury or stroke in adults
- Can also occur in childhood (childhood apraxia of speech)
Dyspraxia
Developmental Coordination Disorder
What it is
Dyspraxia is a condition where a person:
- Has difficulty planning and coordinating movements
- Can still perform movements, but with effort and reduced accuracy
Key features
- Poor coordination
- Difficulty with fine motor skills (writing, buttons)
- Difficulty with gross motor skills (running, balance)
- May affect organisation and planning
Causes
- Usually developmental (present from early life)
- Often linked to developmental coordination differences
🧠 Quick Comparison
| Feature | Apraxia | Dyspraxia |
|---|---|---|
| Severity | Complete inability to perform planned movement | Partial difficulty with coordination |
| Onset | Can be acquired or developmental | Usually developmental |
| Scope | Often specific (speech, limb movement) | Broad (whole-body coordination + planning) |
| Brain function | Movement execution disrupted | Movement planning and coordination affected |
🧩 Understanding the Terms
The words come from Greek roots:
- praxia = movement or action
- a- = without (absence)
- dys- = difficulty or impaired function
So:
- Apraxia = without movement execution
- Dyspraxia = difficulty with movement coordination
🗣️ Speech and Communication Overlap
Both conditions can affect speech and communication:
Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS)
- Brain struggles to plan speech movements
- Affects clarity of speech sounds and syllables
Verbal Dyspraxia
- Older term used in some regions
- Refers to similar speech planning difficulties
🧾 2. Easy Read Version
What is apraxia and dyspraxia?
They are conditions that affect:
- Movement
- Coordination
- Planning actions
Apraxia
- A person knows what they want to do
- Their body cannot complete the movement
- It can affect speech or actions
Dyspraxia
- A person can move, but it is harder
- Movements may be clumsy or slow
- It affects coordination and planning
Key difference
- Apraxia = cannot do the movement
- Dyspraxia = can do it, but it is difficult
🧾 3. Printable Checklist
Dyspraxia & Apraxia Support Checklist
Understanding
- ☐ I understand both are motor planning conditions
- ☐ I know apraxia is more severe
- ☐ I know dyspraxia affects coordination
Observation
- ☐ I notice movement difficulties
- ☐ I identify speech or motor planning issues
- ☐ I understand variability in severity
Support
- ☐ I give extra time for movement tasks
- ☐ I break tasks into steps
- ☐ I support communication needs
Inclusion
- ☐ I avoid assumptions about ability
- ☐ I adapt physical tasks
- ☐ I promote independence
📊 4. PowerPoint Outline
Slide 1: Title
Dyspraxia vs Apraxia
Slide 2: What are they?
- Neurological motor planning disorders
- Affect movement and coordination
Slide 3: Apraxia
- Difficulty executing movement
- Brain cannot send correct signals
Slide 4: Dyspraxia
- Difficulty planning movement
- Coordination challenges
Slide 5: Key Differences
- Severity
- Scope
- Onset
Slide 6: Causes
- Brain injury (apraxia)
- Developmental differences (dyspraxia)
Slide 7: Speech Impact
- Childhood apraxia of speech
- Verbal dyspraxia
Slide 8: Support Strategies
- Step-by-step instructions
- Therapy support
- Extra processing time
Slide 9: Key Message
- Different conditions, similar challenges
📝 5. Level 1 Quiz
Multiple Choice
1. Apraxia means:
A. Mild coordination difficulty
B. Inability to perform planned movement
C. Hearing loss
✔ Correct: B
2. Dyspraxia is:
A. A movement coordination difficulty
B. A vision problem
C. A skin condition
✔ Correct: A
3. Apraxia is usually:
A. Always developmental
B. More severe than dyspraxia
C. Only emotional
✔ Correct: B
4. Dyspraxia affects:
A. Only speech
B. Coordination and planning
C. Heart function
✔ Correct: B
True or False
5. Dyspraxia and apraxia are the same.
❌ False
6. Apraxia can happen after a brain injury.
✔ True
7. Both conditions involve movement planning.
✔ True
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