Specific learning difficulties (Dyspraxia)
Developmental co-ordination disorder (DCD), is commonly known as dyspraxia, is a condition affecting physical co-ordination. It causes a child to perform less well than expected in daily activities for their age and appear to move clumsily.
How does it affect my child?
- Weak motor skills and spatial skills leading to problems moving around, likely bumping into things; often described as awkward or clumsy
- Difficulty sitting up or sitting still due to weak core strength, weak proprioception (awareness of where limbs are) and balance
- Difficulties running, jumping, skipping, kicking, throwing, catching
- Weak writing skills (including handwriting; layout on the page and organising ideas)
- Weak fine motor movements, poor pencil control resulting in slow handwriting / drawing skills
- Difficulty in handling tools generally, eg, scissors, rulers
- Oral/ verbal dyspraxia e.g. difficulty in eating, dribbling, speech production, organising thought into spoken words and sentences
Where can I get help for my child?
If you are worried about your child, speak to your GP or another health professional or the SENCO in your child’s school.
What support is there for schools?
- Learning, Communication and Interaction (LCI) work to support pupils with dyspraxia in school.
- School Support for children with SEND offers information about your school’s responsibilities to all SEND learners.
- Inclusive Provision for SEND children in mainstream schools offers advice on how teachers can identify and adapt teaching to learners with dyspraxia.