What is Dyspraxia?
Dyspraxia (dys = difficult, praxis = action) is a motor planning disorder, meaning the brain struggles to coordinate and sequence movements. It is often referred to as Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) ¹. Dyspraxia affects a person’s ability to plan and carry out motor tasks efficiently. These tasks can involve gross motor skills (such as walking, running, or maintaining balance) or fine motor skills (such as writing, fastening buttons, or using utensils) ².
In the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) ¹, Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) is listed as a motor disorder under the broader category of neurodevelopmental disorders. This highlights that dyspraxia is not just clumsiness or a phase of delayed development. It is a recognised neurological condition that can persist into adulthood.
Dyspraxia may also affect speech. Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS) is sometimes called verbal dyspraxia. CAS is a motor speech disorder in which a child has difficulty planning the precise movements of the lips, tongue, and palate needed to produce speech sounds ³. Although CAS and DCD are separate diagnoses, they can occur together.
Other common co-occurring conditions include autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, dyslexia, dysgraphia, and intellectual disability ¹,⁴. These overlapping challenges mean that every individual’s experience with dyspraxia is unique.
Dyspraxia in Children and Adults
While dyspraxia is most often identified in childhood, it can continue into adulthood. Children may first be recognised as “clumsy” or delayed in reaching motor milestones such as crawling, walking, or tying shoelaces ⁴. In adults, dyspraxia may present as difficulty with balance, organisation, handwriting, or learning new motor skills such as driving.
Dyspraxia can also be acquired later in life due to brain injury, stroke, or other neurological changes. In these cases, it is often referred to as acquired dyspraxia ⁵.
Dyspraxia vs. Apraxia: What’s the Difference?
The terms dyspraxia and apraxia are sometimes used interchangeably, but they describe different degrees of motor planning difficulties.
- Dyspraxia: partial loss of the ability to perform movements accurately and consistently.
- Apraxia: complete inability to carry out a movement, even though the person understands the command and wants to perform it.
Apraxia has several subtypes, including limb-kinetic apraxia (difficulty making precise movements with the arms or fingers) ², ⁸, constructional apraxia (difficulty drawing or copying shapes), and childhood apraxia of speech.
Causes and Risk Factors
The exact causes of dyspraxia are not fully understood ². Current research suggests that it stems from differences in the way the brain processes and sends signals to muscles.
Risk factors include ⁶:
- Premature birth (especially before 32 weeks)
- Very low birth weight
- Family history of dyspraxia or related conditions
- Maternal drug or alcohol use during pregnancy
Dyspraxia is also more common in males and tends to run in families, suggesting a genetic component ¹.
How Common is Dyspraxia?
Dyspraxia is relatively common, affecting around 6% of school-aged children ⁶. Symptoms often become more noticeable once children start school, when motor and organisational skills are compared more directly with peers.
Signs and Symptoms of Dyspraxia
Dyspraxia symptoms vary widely and depend on age and severity. Some difficulties are visible in infancy, while others emerge later.
In babies and toddlers:
- Delays in rolling, crawling, sitting, or walking
- Difficulty using utensils
- Trouble playing with toys that require coordination
In older children:
- Clumsiness, frequent tripping or bumping into things
- Difficulty with sports, bike riding, catching, or throwing
- Poor handwriting, colouring, or cutting skills
- Difficulty with self-care (shoelaces, zips, buttons, brushing teeth)
- Restlessness or unusual body movements when trying to stay focused
Other common challenges:
- Poor posture and balance
- Difficulty remembering sequences or following multi-step instructions
- Problems with organisation and time management
- Frustration, low self-esteem, or anxiety from repeated difficulties
- Social challenges, such as struggling to read non-verbal cues or keep up with peers
Speech and language may also be affected. Children with dyspraxia may take longer to respond to questions, struggle to organise their thoughts, and have unclear articulation or inconsistent sound production.
Diagnosis
Diagnosing dyspraxia is complex, as no single medical test can confirm it. Instead, assessment is typically carried out by a team of professionals, which may include a paediatrician, occupational therapist, physiotherapist, child psychologist, or neurologist.
A thorough assessment usually involves:
- A detailed birth, developmental, educational, and medical history
- Standardised motor coordination tests
- Evaluation of gross and fine motor skills
- Observations of functional tasks such as handwriting, dressing, or balance
Speech pathologists play a key role when speech, language, or literacy difficulties are also present. They can diagnose co-occurring Childhood Apraxia of Speech and assess broader communication and learning needs.
