This module covers dyspraxia, also known as Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD), a condition that affects movement, coordination, and planning of physical actions.
🧠 What Is Dyspraxia?
Dyspraxia (Developmental Coordination Disorder) is a chronic neurodevelopmental condition that affects:
- Physical coordination
- Motor skill development
- Movement planning and execution
👉 It is not related to intelligence, but affects how the brain communicates with the body.
📊 Overview
- Lifelong condition (symptoms continue into adulthood)
- Affects children and adults
- Varies from mild to severe
- Often improves with support and therapy
🧠 Key Symptoms of Dyspraxia
🤸 Motor Skills
- Clumsiness and poor balance
- Difficulty with fine motor skills (writing, buttons, shoelaces)
- Difficulty with gross motor skills (running, jumping, catching)
🏠 Daily Living Skills
- Trouble dressing or grooming
- Difficulty using cutlery
- Frequently dropping or bumping into objects
- Poor spatial awareness
🧠 Thinking and Processing
- Slow processing of instructions
- Difficulty following multi-step tasks
- Problems planning actions in order
🗣️ Speech and Communication
- Speech may be unclear or delayed (verbal dyspraxia)
- Difficulty coordinating mouth movements for speech
💬 Emotional and Social Impact
- Frustration with tasks
- Low confidence in physical activities
- Often co-occurs with ADHD or dyslexia
🧬 Causes and Risk Factors
The exact cause is not fully understood, but dyspraxia is linked to:
- Disruption in brain message processing
- Neurological development differences
⚠️ Risk Factors
- Premature birth (before 37 weeks)
- Low birth weight
- Family history of dyspraxia
🧩 Types of Dyspraxia
Dyspraxia can affect different areas of functioning:
✋ Ideomotor Dyspraxia
-
Difficulty performing single actions
(e.g., waving, brushing teeth)
🧠 Ideational Dyspraxia
-
Difficulty planning multi-step tasks
(e.g., getting dressed in correct order)
🗣️ Verbal (Oral) Dyspraxia
- Difficulty controlling speech muscles
- Affects clarity of speech
🧪 Diagnosis
There is no single test for dyspraxia.
Diagnosis involves:
- Developmental history review
- Motor skill assessments
- Observations in school and daily life
- Evaluation by specialists (OTs, paediatricians, physiotherapists)
💡 Treatment and Support
There is no cure, but support significantly improves independence.
🧑⚕️ Therapies
- Occupational therapy (daily living skills)
- Physical therapy (balance and coordination)
- Speech and language therapy (speech support)
🏫 Educational Support
- Extra time in tasks/exams
- Step-by-step instructions
- Use of assistive tools
- Individualised Education Plans (IEPs)
💻 Practical Strategies
- Breaking tasks into smaller steps
- Using visual reminders
- Practising routines repeatedly
- Using adapted tools (grip pens, easy-fastening clothing)
♿ Inclusion & Awareness Message
- Dyspraxia is a neurological difference, not a lack of effort
- Many individuals are intelligent and creative
- Support helps build independence and confidence
- Early understanding improves long-term outcomes
📄 Easy Read Version
Dyspraxia means:
- Difficulty moving and coordinating the body
It can affect:
- Writing
- Dressing
- Balance
- Sports and movement
It is not:
- Low intelligence
- Laziness
- Poor attitude
Help includes:
- Therapy
- Extra time
- Step-by-step instructions
- Support tools
🧠 Reflection / Activity
Think about:
- How many daily tasks need coordination?
- What challenges might someone face if movement is harder?
- How could schools and workplaces adapt?
💬 Final Thought
Dyspraxia shows that:
- Movement and coordination vary widely between people
- Intelligence is not linked to physical coordination
- With the right support, people can build strong life skills
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