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What Is Dyspraxia? Diagnosis & Management Guide
Written by Medicover Team and Medically Reviewed by Dr Krishna Haskar Dhanyamraju , Neurologist
Dyspraxia, or Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD), is a neurological condition that impairs movement coordination and motor planning.
It makes everyday tasks, such as walking, writing, or speaking, more difficult. It primarily impacts the brain's ability to plan and process motor tasks.
Early diagnosis and supportive strategies can significantly improve quality of life and day-to-day functioning.
Key Aspects of Dyspraxia
- Dyspraxia affects coordination, movement planning, and motor execution.
- It is not related to muscle weakness, but to how the brain communicates with the body.
- It can impact daily activities, learning, and emotional well-being.
- Symptoms vary in severity and presentation across individuals and age groups.
What are the Dyspraxia Symptoms and Warning Signs?
Dyspraxia symptoms may differ across age groups, but commonly involve coordination and motor difficulties. Early identification helps ensure timely intervention.
Symptoms in Children
Children with dyspraxia may show signs such as:
- Reaching motor milestones late (like crawling or walking).
- Struggling with dressing, holding a pencil, or using utensils.
- Having trouble playing sports or learning new physical skills.
- Tripping often, seeming clumsy, or having poor posture.
- Getting upset or frustrated during tasks that need coordination.
Symptoms in Adults
Adults with undiagnosed dyspraxia might experience:
- Difficulty learning motor-based tasks (like driving or using tools).
- Trouble with spatial awareness or judging distance.
- Finding it hard to plan or organise the steps in a task.
- Problems with time management or staying organised.
- Low self-confidence or anxiety tied to movement challenges.
If there are significant issues with coordination or basic motor skills, talk to a pediatrician or developmental specialist.
What are the Different Types of Dyspraxia?
Dyspraxia can affect different parts of the body or actions.
These are the main types:
- Motor Dyspraxia: This is the most common type. It affects body movement and coordination, like walking, running, or riding a bike.
- Verbal Dyspraxia (Apraxia of Speech): This affects the ability to speak clearly. The brain has trouble sending the right signals to the mouth and tongue muscles.
- Oral Dyspraxia: This affects non-verbal mouth movements, such as licking lips, chewing food, or blowing.
Dyspraxia vs. Apraxia: What's the Difference?
Though often used interchangeably, dyspraxia and apraxia are different:
- Dyspraxia is a developmental condition, usually present from birth. It makes movement planning and coordination difficult.
- Apraxia is typically acquired after brain injury and results in the sudden loss of the ability to perform learned movements.
- Verbal dyspraxia is a speech disorder from childhood, while apraxia of speech may be developmental or acquired.
Some people may have just one type. Others may have a combination. Each person's experience is different.
What are the Common Causes and Risk Factors of Dyspraxia?
The specific cause of dyspraxia is not known in most cases. But now researchers have identified a number of factors that may raise the risk.
Dyspraxia Causes:
- Delays or disruptions in brain development.
- Problems with how the brain sends signals to muscles.
- Issues with motor coordination starting early in life.
Dyspraxia Risk Factors:
- Premature birth
- Low birth weight
- Family history of learning or coordination problems
- Exposure to alcohol, drugs, or infections during pregnancy
Tip: If your child struggles with movement or coordination and has any of these risk factors, speak to a pediatric specialist early.
Get a second opinion from trusted experts and makeconfident, informed decisions.
Get Second OpinionHow is Dyspraxia Diagnosed?
Dyspraxia cannot be diagnosed with just one test. Instead, doctors look at how a child moves, plays, and performs everyday activities.
A full diagnosis involves observing the child and using a few helpful tools:
Common Diagnostic Tools Include
Movement Assessment Battery for Children (MABC):
- Checks balance, hand movements, and coordination. It helps identify motor delays.
Developmental Coordination Disorder Questionnaire (DCDQ):
- A simple checklist filled out by parents. It asks about daily skills like dressing, using utensils, and playing.
Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency (BOT-2):
- A detailed test that looks at both fine movements (like writing) and big movements (like running or balance).
What are the Treatment Options for Dyspraxia?
There's no cure for dyspraxia, but treatment focuses on skill development and improved daily functioning.
Therapies and Interventions:
- Occupational Therapy: Builds hand skills and supports daily tasks, such as writing or dressing.
- Speech and Language Therapy: Helps children with verbal dyspraxia speak more clearly and effectively.
- Physical Therapy: Improves balance, posture, and large muscle movements.
Educational Support:
- Personalised education plans (IEPs)
- Tools like speech-to-text or keyboard aids
- Adjustments in physical education and classroom tasks
Healthcare Professionals Who May Help
Managing dyspraxia often involves a team approach. Depending on your child's needs, the following experts may be involved:
- Occupational therapists: for fine motor skills, dressing, and handwriting.
- Physical therapists: for posture, balance, and large movements.
- Speech and language therapists: especially in cases of verbal dyspraxia.
- Pediatric specialists: for developmental assessments and referrals.
- Behavior analysts: for structured learning and behavior support.
- Psychologists: to support emotional and social development.
We design custom therapy programs for every child. Our goal is to help children build skills, gain confidence, and succeed at school and at home.
When to See a Doctor?
You should consult a doctor if your child:
- Is slow to reach motor milestones
- Struggles with everyday tasks like dressing or writing
- Has trouble following steps or organising actions
- Gets frustrated or shows low confidence due to poor coordination
Early professional guidance can make a big difference in long-term development.
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What is the Recovery Process After Dyspraxia Treatment?
Dyspraxia is a lifelong condition. But with the right help, children and adults can manage it well and enjoy whole, active lives.
Recovery Includes:
- Ongoing therapy: Regular occupational or speech therapy to build skills
- Progress check-ins: Regular updates to therapy or learning plans
- Healthy activities: Encourage swimming, martial arts, or dancing to improve coordination
- Outlook: Most people learn useful coping strategies over time
The multidisciplinary care team is dedicated to guiding families through every stage of development and recovery.
What Precautions Can Help Prevent Dyspraxia?
While dyspraxia cannot always be prevented, certain steps can reduce risks and aid in early detection.
Dyspraxia Prevention:
- Attend regular prenatal checkups
- Avoid alcohol and harmful substances during pregnancy
- Monitor motor development milestones during infancy
Dyspraxia Complications:
- Trouble with learning or attention
- Low self-confidence or social withdrawal
- Higher chances of anxiety or depression in teens
Early diagnosis and intervention greatly reduce the impact of these complications.
Our Experience Treating Dyspraxia
At Medicover Hospitals, we collaborate with families to ensure that children with dyspraxia can flourish.
With expert therapists, personalised care plans, and early intervention tools, we support children in gaining confidence, coordination, and success at school and home.
