Dyspraxia

Dyspraxia is also referred to as developmental coordination disorder (DCD). It affects physical coordination which can cause children to perform less well than expected in daily activities. Children with dyspraxia can also appear to be very clumsy.

A child with dyspraxia does not necessarily have any other form of developmental delay nor is it necessarily a result of global developmental delay.

Whilst young children may exhibit signs of dyspraxia, it is not normally possible to diagnose dyspraxia until a child reaches around five years of age or more. This is because children develop at different rates and at younger ages it is impossible to establish a problematic developmental delay.

Dyspraxia can vary in severity. Children will require specific teaching of strategies to manage their coordination difficulties and will often require specialist equipment.

It is important that all people working with children with dyspraxia understand their difficulties and the provision they require. It is entirely possible that a child with dyspraxia will have special educational needs (SEN). In some cases, SEN additional support may be adequate, whereas in others an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) will be necessary.