What Are the Signs of Dyspraxia?
With just 6% of the British population affected by dyspraxia and its symptoms, it is not quite as well-known as other neurodivergent disorders - but it’s just as important to be aware of.
As such, we wanted to educate and inform those who may not already be aware of what dyspraxia is, helping people understand how much this condition can impact everyday life.
In this article, we will discuss dyspraxia symptoms in both adults and children, how dyspraxia is tested, as well as ways to manage dyspraxia symptoms day-to-day.
What is dyspraxia?
Also known as Developmental Co-ordination Disorder (DCD), dyspraxia is a neurodevelopmental condition which affects physical coordination and motor skills.
With dyspraxia, signals are not properly transmitted from the brain to the body. This is sometimes referred to as an immaturity in the brain which can affect the way it processes information, and as a result it can cause difficulty with writing, getting dressed, or eating. Although the direct cause of this is not yet known for certain, it has been described as a neurodevelopmental difference, and it is also believed to be genetic with it often running through families.
Typically, dyspraxia impacts motor and communication skills, as well as thought, perception, and the ability to plan. Affecting both gross and fine motor skills, dyspraxia may cause issues with large muscles (gross motor skills) – body, legs, arms – and smaller muscles (fine motor skills) such as hands and wrists. This means someone with dyspraxia may struggle with walking up the stairs, balance, and feeling as if they have weakness in the muscles. However, it is not due to muscle weakness but rather how the brain and muscles communicate.
While dyspraxia can cause difficulties with day-to-day activities, it is manageable. In fact, most schools are able to provide support plans for children with dyspraxia, while certain physical therapies, such as physiotherapy, speech and language therapy, or occupational therapy can be useful in the longer term.
Is dyspraxia a learning disability?
As dyspraxia affects language and perception, this neurodevelopmental disorder is often mistaken for a learning disability. However, dyspraxia is not a learning disability, instead it is typically referred to as a ‘learning difficulty’.
The key difference between the two is learning differences. While a learning disability is a condition that directly impacts a person’s overall cognitive functions and ability to learn, a learning difficulty does not inherently affect ability.
However, dyspraxia can still affect learning. People with dyspraxia may struggle with organisation, prioritising, ordering tasks, as well as writing academic essays or reports. If your child has dyspraxia, try speaking to their teachers, who will be able to provide additional support to help alleviate any stress or concerns.
With this in mind however, it is the choice of the person with dyspraxia to pick a label that feels right and comfortable to them. Some choose to refer to it as a learning disability, others a learning difficulty, either way it’s important to honour the choice of the individual.
Are dyspraxia and autism similar?
While some dyspraxia symptoms mirror those of autism, dyspraxia and autism are two separate conditions.
People with autism and dyspraxia may experience similar symptoms, such as difficulties with language and communication, as well as perception and thoughts. However, these shared autism and dyspraxia symptoms manifest in separate ways.
For example, a child with dyspraxia may appear to act younger than they are when in social settings, and they may also struggle to adjust the volume of their voice. While a child with autism might struggle to understand social cues or even just avoid social situations completely, though this is not the case for all autistic people.
Additionally, it is quite common for autistic people to also have dyspraxia as well, though not every autistic person will have dyspraxia. As a result, it is important to speak to your health care provider should you or your child display dyspraxia symptoms, as this will help ensure you receive an accurate diagnosis and care plan.
Common dyspraxia signs in adults
Dyspraxia can impact people in many different ways, but there are some common dyspraxia signs in adults you should look out for.
As discussed, dyspraxia affects motor skills, causing difficulties with tasks like writing, learning to drive a car, and walking up the stairs. Someone with dyspraxia might struggle to get their thoughts down on paper as well, due to difficulties with co-ordination.
Alongside these motor and co-ordination symptoms, you may notice the following dyspraxia signs in adults:
Difficulty dealing with emotions.
Struggling with time management and organisation.
Finding it hard to navigate daily tasks like dressing or cooking.
A lack of hand-eye coordination.
Feeling awkward in social situations.
Are signs of dyspraxia different in children?
While many signs of dyspraxia in adults and children are the same, some children with dyspraxia may exhibit different or additional difficulties with coordination and motor skills.
For instance, some are mistakenly called ‘clumsy’, as it is quite common for children with dyspraxia to bump into things like furniture. But this is not due to them being clumsy, it is because the brain struggles to accurately tell the body what to do, causing them to appear ‘out of sync’ with their environment.
An infant or toddler with dyspraxia may also be slow to pick up abilities such as sitting up, walking, or crawling. Look out for the further following signs of dyspraxia within children:
Finding it hard to hold a pencil.
Frequently falling, tripping, or stumbling.
Actively avoiding tasks like writing, sports, or art.
Struggling to fasten buttons or pull up a zipper.
How is dyspraxia diagnosed?
Talking to your health care provider about dyspraxia can be daunting, and it isn’t always a quick and easy process either. To alleviate some of the concern, let’s look at what you can expect from a dyspraxia test.
The first step is always consulting a medical professional, whether that be a GP or, more specifically in the case of children, a health visitor or special educational needs coordinator (SENCO). Once you have had that initial chat, you or your child will be passed on for assessment.
For a child with dyspraxia, they will be assessed using the Movement ABC test, which assesses their gross and fine motor skills. Typically, this test will look at how daily tasks, such as using a knife and fork or writing, are completed to assess whether the child has dyspraxia.
Alongside mental and physical capabilities, dyspraxia tests for both children and adults will look into family history. Some dyspraxia tests also check whether the child’s cognitive abilities align with children within their age group.
As dyspraxia testing is a multi-disciplinary effort, accurately diagnosing dyspraxia can feel like a long, drawn-out process. But don’t worry, you can find support throughout the process by reaching out to charities, help lines, and support groups such as Dyspraxia Foundation.
What management plans are available for dyspraxia?
While there is no cure for dyspraxia, a series of management and care plans can help manage the symptoms on a day-to-day basis.
For difficulties with motor skills, occupational therapy may help. The therapist will look at any day-to-day struggles, such as with cooking, sports, or writing, and then create a plan to accommodate. Additionally, physiotherapy may be offered, where a physiotherapist will help to strengthen muscles and increase motor ability.
If you are caring for a child with dyspraxia, try speaking to their teachers. While not every school is a specialist school, most will be able to assist with adjustment plans for your child. They may be eligible for extra time during examinations as well, which the school can arrange.
Whether dealing with signs of dyspraxia in yourself or symptoms within a child, living with dyspraxia can be stressful. You can learn more about managing and reducing stress levels through our Healthcare Services. Alternatively, you can explore more tips for improving mental health on our Be Healthy hub.
As a member of Benenden Health, you can also call our 24/7 Mental Health Helpline for immediate emotional support and signposting. Plus, access Neurodiversity and Disability Advice Service through our Care Planning and Social Care Advice line, where a dedicated adviser can offer help and advice on neurodiverse or disability needs, including autism, ADHD, and both learning and physical disabilities.
This article has been supported by information from our partner Grace Consulting .
Medically reviewed in July 2024.
