Dyspraxia in children: signs, symptoms and what to look for
Dyspraxia, also known as developmental coordination disorder (DCD), often becomes noticeable during childhood. While every child develops at their own pace, some may experience persistent difficulties with coordination, organisation, visual-spatial awareness, and everyday tasks that can affect school life, home life and social lives.
If you’re wondering whether a child’s struggles might be more than just a developmental phase, it can be helpful to understand the common childhood patterns associated with dyspraxia.
Common signs of dyspraxia in children
Dyspraxia can affect children in different ways, but there are some common areas where difficulties may appear.
Fine motor skill difficulties
Difficulty with handwriting (slow, messy, or tiring)
Struggles using scissors or cutlery
Troubles with getting dressed (buttons, zips, or tying shoelaces
Gross motor skill difficulties
Appearing clumsy (frequent trips, bumps or spills)
Difficulty riding a bike, swimming, dancing or learning other physical skills
Challenges with sports, especially team sports requiring coordination with other players
Organisation and planning difficulties
Difficulty following multi-step instructions (especially when given verbally)
Frequently losing or forgetting items (e.g. school equipment)
Trouble completing tasks in the correct order
Speech and communication difficulties (in some children)
Occasional word-finding difficulties (especially when tired)
Slower verbal processing (again, especially when tired)
Dyspraxia in children: every child is different
Dyspraxia exists on a spectrum, meaning its impact can vary significantly from one child to another. Some children may have more noticeable coordination difficulties; others may may struggle more with organisation or fatigue.
It’s also common for children to show a mix of strengths and challenges. A child might find extended bursts of handwriting difficult but be confident verbally, or struggle with most sports but thrive in a particular one.
Strengths and abilities in children with dyspraxia
Although dyspraxia is often discussed in terms of challenges, it’s important to recognise that children with dyspraxia frequently have areas of strength.
These can include:
Creativity and imagination
Strong verbal reasoning
Determination and resilience
Abilities with particular physical tasks that are in contrast to their broader physical challenges
Dyspraxia at school: common challenges
School is often where dyspraxia becomes most noticeable.
Children with dyspraxia may experience:
Difficulty keeping up with handwriting tasks (but maybe can write with pace when typing instead)
Challenges in PE or team sports
Problems with organisation (remembering homework, books, or PE kits)
Fatigue from the extra effort required to manage everyday tasks.
These difficulties can sometimes affect confidence, particularly if misunderstood as a lack of effort rather than a genuine difference in how the child processes and performs tasks.
When to seek advice about dyspraxia in children
It’s normal for children to develop skills at different rates. However, if difficulties with coordination, organisation, or daily tasks are persistent and clearly affecting a child’s school life, social life, or confidence, it may be worth seeking advice.
A GP, occupational therapist (OT), or specialist in special educational needs (SEN) can help assess whether dyspraxia may be a factor. A diagnosis may unlock the door to access arrangements and services.
Learn more
If you’d like to understand dyspraxia in more detail, you can read more about what dyspraxia is and how it affects daily life.
My blog
Some of my childhood-related blog posts may be useful. These are grounded in my lived experience of being dyspraxic – and my daughter’s.