Dyspraxia: Just the Facts

Dyspraxia is a common neurological difference that affects physical co-ordination.

It can cause someone to perform less well in daily tasks involving movement than is expected for their age. Some of these symptoms can be present from an early age, while others may only appear obvious as the person gets older.  

Dyspraxia can affect people of all intellectual abilities and is not related to intelligence. 

Someone with dyspraxia might have difficulty with: 

• Playground activities or sports such as hopping, skipping, running or catching or kicking a ball 
• Balance 
• Walking up and down stairs 
• Writing, drawing and using scissors 
• Getting dressed, doing up buttons and tying shoelaces 
• Keeping still 

Dyspraxia can also cause problems with: 

• Concentration 
• Following instructions 
• Organisation or time keeping 
• Learning new skills 
• Behaviour, which often stems from frustration 
• Self-esteem

They may also bump into objects and drop things more easily than others. 

If you’re clumsy it doesn’t necessarily mean you have dyspraxia. But if you’re concerned, speak to your GP or school nurse, who may refer you to a health professional for assessment. 

People with dyspraxia might need support and additional time to complete work, school and daily tasks – but it does not affect their intelligence.  

What causes dyspraxia?

Co-ordinated movements, such as drawing or playing sports, involve many different nerves and parts of the brain. Differences in how these parts of the brain communicate can lead to the difficulties with movement and co-ordination that are present in dyspraxia. 

Although it is not clear what causes these differences, people are more likely to develop dyspraxia if: 

• They were born prematurely (before the 37th week of pregnancy) 
• They were born with a low birth weight 
• They have a family history of dyspraxia 
• Their mother was drinking alcohol or taking illegal drugs during their pregnancy 

Those with dyspraxia may also have other conditions such as; 

• ADHD
• Autism
• Dyscalculia
• Dyslexia
• Depression or anxiety 

Treatment and support

There is no ‘cure’ for dyspraxia, but treatment and support can help people to manage their difficulties. These may include: 

• Learning new ways to complete activities that they find difficult 
• Adapting tasks to make them easier, such as using special grips on pens and pencils to make holding them easier 

Support will be tailored to the person and might involve a number of different health professionals working together. Producing work at school or college may require additional support from parents and teachers. 

Physical co-ordination may become less of a problem as the person gets older and develops coping strategies that work for them. 

How to get help

If you have any more questions on this area or would like to speak to somebody about this topic, have a look at the links or search for your local services in the blue box below. Alternatively you can always contact your school nurse.

• w: NHS - Dyspraxia