Dyspraxia

Background

Dyspraxia (also known as developmental co-ordination disorder) is a neurodevelopmental disorder affecting motor coordination and planning¹.

It affects motor skills, leading to difficulties in co-ordinating movements and executing tasks that involve fine or gross motor coordination, such as writing, tying shoelaces, using utensils, or participating in sports. If the diagnosis is not made, they may be labelled as clumsy or lazy, potentially causing problems with self-esteem^3,4.

Children may be affected by difficulty with motor milestones such as crawling, walking and riding a bicycle. As they get older, they may struggle with activities that require co-ordination, such as dressing, sport and handwriting. Adults may find it difficult to learn new skills, including how to drive, or to navigate crowded spaces. They may face challenges in academic or vocational settings, social interactions, relationships and independent living skills^5,6.

The presentation of dyspraxia varies from mild symptoms, impacting only a few activities, to more severe impairments that significantly interfere with daily functioning. Coexisting difficulties, such as sensory sensitivities, attentional issues, or learning disabilities are often present; this can make diagnosis more complicated⁴.

A diagnosis of dyspraxia will usually be made after gathering information from multiple sources, such as parents and teachers. It will include a developmental history and observations of motor skills and input from parents and/or teachers. The diagnosis might be made by a doctor, a physiotherapist, an occupational therapist or an educational psychologist². Other neurodevelopmental disorders may mimic dyspraxia or coexist with it, including autistic spectrum disorder or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

Management

Management of dyspraxia is multifaceted and may include some of the following:

• Occupational therapy⁷, which focuses on improving motor coordination and the planning and execution of tasks. It may provide tailored interventions to address specific difficulties, such as fine motor skills, handwriting, or activities of daily living.
• Speech therapy⁸ for communication difficulties.
• Cognitive behavioural therapy to manage associated anxiety or low self-esteem.
• Sensory integration therapy to address sensory sensitivities⁹.

References

1. Queen Mary University of London. What is dyspraxia?
2. NHS. Dyspraxia in children. March 2023.
3. Biotteau M, Danna J, Baudou É et al. Developmental coordination disorder and dysgraphia: signs and symptoms, diagnosis, and rehabilitation. Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat.2019 Jul 8;15:1873-1885.
4. Caçola P. Physical and Mental Health of Children with Developmental Coordination Disorder. Front Public Health. 2016 Oct 24;4:224.
5. NHS. Dyspraxia in adults. Oct 2020.
6. Dyspraxia Foundation. What is dyspraxia?
7. Dyspraxia Foundation. Occupational Therapy.
8. York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. Verbal dyspraxia.
9. Dyspraxia Foundation. Dyspraxia from an Occupational Therapy perspective.