What Is Dyspraxia (DCD)?

Dyspraxia (DCD) is a neurodevelopmental condition that impacts:
• Fine motor skills (e.g. handwriting, using utensils)
• Gross motor skills (e.g. running, jumping, balance)
• Motor planning (knowing how to perform a task)
• Coordination and sequencing of movements

These challenges can affect a child’s ability to participate in school, play, and daily activities.

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Signs of Dyspraxia in Children
Children with dyspraxia may show:

Motor Skills
• Clumsiness or frequent trips and falls
• Difficulty with sports or physical activities
• Poor balance or coordination

Fine Motor Skills
• Difficulty with handwriting
• Trouble using scissors or utensils
• Avoidance of fine motor tasks

Daily Activities
​• Difficulty getting dressed (buttons, zips)
• Challenges with feeding or self-care tasks
• Slower completion of everyday tasks

Learning & Participation
• Difficulty following multi-step instructions
• Challenges organising tasks
• Reduced confidence in physical or school activities

Every child is different, and not all children will show the same signs.

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Assessment & Diagnosis of Dyspraxia (DCD)

Dyspraxia is typically assessed through a multidisciplinary process.

​Occupational Therapy Assessment
Occupational Therapists play a key role in assessing motor skills and functional impact.

This may include standardised assessments such as:
• Movement ABC (Movement Assessment Battery for Children)
• BOT-2 (Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency)

​These assessments evaluate:
• Fine and gross motor skills
• Balance and coordination
• Functional impact in daily activities

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Role of the Clinical Psychologist

A Clinical Psychologist may be involved to assess:
• Cognitive functioning (e.g. WISC-V)
• Learning profile
• Adaptive functioning

This is important where there are broader developmental concerns.

​In particular, Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) is not diagnosed if an intellectual disability is present, so a cognitive assessment may be recommended to clarify the overall picture.

​At Belong Health, we can provide:
Psychology assessments where cognitive clarification is needed

Learn more about Psychology Assessments

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Diagnosis

A formal diagnosis of Dyspraxia / DCD is typically made by a:

• Paediatrician

​The paediatrician considers:
• Occupational Therapy assessment findings
• Cognitive assessment (if completed)
• Developmental history
• Functional impact

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How Dyspraxia (DCD) Can Affect Daily Life

Dyspraxia (Developmental Coordination Disorder) can impact how a child plans and carries out movements.
This may affect:

• Coordination and balance
• Fine motor skills (e.g. handwriting, using tools)
• Gross motor skills (e.g. running, jumping)
• Daily activities and participation

​These challenges can sometimes overlap with:

• Learning difficulties (e.g. writing tasks)
• Attention and organisation
• Confidence and emotional wellbeing

Learn more about learning difficulties and writing challenges

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How Speech Pathology May Be Involved
Although DCD is primarily associated with motor coordination, speech pathologists may support children where motor planning differences impact communication.

Speech Pathology involvement may be appropriate when there are:

Oral Motor Planning Differences
Some children with DCD may also experience challenges coordinating movements for speech. This may present as:

• Difficulty sequencing sounds
• Inconsistent speech production
• Reduced speech clarity

If concerns relate specifically to speech motor planning, assessment for Childhood Apraxia of Speech may be recommended.

Expressive Language & Organisation
Children with DCD may also experience:

• Difficulty organising thoughts verbally
• Challenges structuring narratives
• Trouble sequencing events
• Reduced clarity when explaining ideas

Speech pathology can support language organisation and communication clarity.
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Literacy & Written Expression
Motor coordination differences may impact handwriting, while language formulation differences may affect written expression.
Speech Pathology may assist with:

• Sentence structure
• Narrative development
• Written language organisation
• Planning and sequencing for writing

Learn more about Speech therapy support

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How Occupational Therapy Can Help

Occupational Therapy focuses on helping children build skills for everyday life.

Support may include:
• Improving coordination and motor skills
• Developing fine motor and handwriting skills
• Supporting daily living skills (dressing, feeding)
• Building confidence in physical activities
• Teaching strategies to support participation at school and home

Therapy is tailored to each child’s strengths, needs, and goals.

Learn more about Occupational Therapy support

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Occupational Therapy & Speech Pathology: Working Together
At Belong Health, OT and SP may collaborate to support:

• Motor planning
• Sequencing skills
• Executive functioning
• Classroom participation
• Independence in daily routines
• Written communication

This collaborative approach ensures support addresses both physical coordination and communication impacts.

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Assessment for Dyspraxia / DCD
DCD is formally diagnosed by a paediatrician or medical professional.
Assessment at Belong Health may include:

Occupational Therapy Assessment

• Standardised motor assessments
• Gross and fine motor observation
• Functional skill analysis
• Sensory processing review

Speech Pathology Assessment (where indicated)

• Speech sound assessment
• Oral motor planning assessment
• Language formulation assessment
• Narrative and sequencing skills
• Literacy screening

Assessment helps identify strengths, functional impacts, and appropriate intervention strategies.
If DCD is suspected, referral to a GP or paediatrician may be recommended.

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Therapy for Dyspraxia / DCD
Intervention is individualised and focused on functional participation.

Occupational Therapy May Support:

• Balance and coordination
• Core strength
• Hand strength and dexterity
• Handwriting development
• Dressing and self-care skills
• Tool use skills
• Motor planning through structured practice

Speech Pathology May Support:

• Speech clarity (where motor planning affects speech)
• Sequencing and narrative skills
• Expressive language organisation
• Written expression planning
• Classroom communication skills
• Literacy-based language skills

Therapy focuses on building skills gradually through structured practice and meaningful activities.

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Dyspraxia / DCD in Adolescents & Adults
Motor coordination challenges can continue into adolescence and adulthood.

Older individuals may experience:

• Handwriting fatigue
• Difficulty organising written work
• Avoidance of sport or physical activities
• Challenges learning new motor tasks
• Ongoing sequencing difficulties

Support may involve:

• Study skill development
• Written language organisation
• Workplace adaptations
• Functional independence strategies

If coordination difficulties newly emerge in adulthood, medical review is recommended.

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Co-Occurring Conditions
DCD may co-occur with:

• ADHD
• Autism
• Developmental Language Disorder
• Dysgraphia
• Specific Learning Disorders

Comprehensive assessment ensures support addresses the whole child.

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A Strengths-Based Approach
Children with DCD often demonstrate:

• Creative problem-solving
• Determination
• Strong verbal skills
• Big-picture thinking

Motor coordination differences do not reflect effort or intelligence.
With the right support, children can build confidence, independence, and participation in daily life.

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Looking for updated support and guidance?

We’ve created more detailed pages to help families understand learning, coordination, and developmental differences, including practical strategies and next steps.

Visit our Specific Learning Disorder Support page for learning-related challenges

Explore Occupational Therapy support for motor planning and coordination

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Not sure what your child may be experiencing?

It’s common for families to notice coordination difficulties alongside other challenges.

For example:

• A child may struggle with handwriting due to motor planning
• A child may avoid tasks due to frustration or fatigue
• A child may also have learning or attention differences

Understanding the full picture can help guide the right support.

Compare learning difficulties and ADHD

Explore writing and handwriting support

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Have a question? or need more information

Our friendly team are happy to help call us on 08 9586 3934 or send us a message

Enquire Now

Dyspraxia / Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) – Frequently Asked Questions

What are dyspraxia symptoms?
Dyspraxia (Developmental Coordination Disorder) primarily affects motor planning and coordination.
Common symptoms in children may include:

• Clumsiness or frequent tripping
• Difficulty running, jumping, or catching a ball
• Delayed gross motor skill development
• Difficulty learning to ride a bike
• Challenges with handwriting
• Trouble using cutlery, buttons, or shoelaces
• Difficulty copying movements
• Slow mastery of new physical skills

Some children may also experience difficulty sequencing tasks, organising movements, or explaining multi-step processes.

How do I know if my child may have dyspraxia?
You may wish to seek assessment if your child:

• Appears significantly less coordinated than peers
• Avoids physical play or sport
• Finds fine motor tasks tiring
• Struggles with handwriting
• Takes longer to learn self-care routines
• Becomes frustrated with motor-based activities

A comprehensive assessment helps determine whether difficulties are consistent with DCD or related to other developmental factors.

Is dyspraxia a form of autism?
No.
Dyspraxia (DCD) and Autism are separate neurodevelopmental conditions. However, they can co-occur. Some children with Autism also experience motor coordination challenges consistent with DCD.
Assessment helps clarify the child’s full developmental profile.

Is dyspraxia a form of ADHD?
No.
ADHD primarily affects attention, impulse control, and regulation. DCD affects motor planning and coordination.
It is possible for a child to have both conditions. Assessment helps differentiate motor coordination differences from attention-based challenges.

Is dyspraxia considered neurodivergent?
Yes.
DCD is recognised as a neurodevelopmental condition and forms part of the broader neurodiversity framework. It reflects differences in how the brain develops motor planning and coordination skills.

At what age is dyspraxia diagnosed?
DCD is typically diagnosed after 5 years of age, when motor coordination difficulties are clearly outside expected developmental ranges and significantly impact daily functioning.
Younger children may show early signs, but diagnosis usually requires sustained evidence of coordination differences over time.

How does dyspraxia affect a child?
Dyspraxia may affect:

• Gross motor skills (running, jumping, balance)
• Fine motor skills (handwriting, tool use)
• Self-care routines (dressing, managing fastenings)
• Participation in sport or playground activities
• Task sequencing and organisation

Some children may experience reduced confidence if motor tasks feel consistently harder than expected.

When should a Speech Pathologist be involved in dyspraxia?
Speech Pathology may be appropriate if a child with DCD also experiences:

• Speech clarity concerns
• Difficulty sequencing sounds
• Inconsistent speech production
• Trouble organising thoughts verbally
• Narrative sequencing difficulties
• Written language organisation challenges

Occupational Therapy primarily supports whole-body motor coordination, while Speech Pathology supports motor planning for speech and language organisation where needed.

What is the difference between dyspraxia and apraxia?
Dyspraxia (Developmental Coordination Disorder) is a developmental condition affecting whole-body motor coordination.
Apraxia refers to difficulty planning movements and may occur:

• In speech (Childhood Apraxia of Speech)
• Following brain injury (acquired apraxia)

Although the terms sound similar, they refer to different clinical presentations. Speech Pathologists assess and treat motor planning difficulties that specifically affect speech production.

What can be mistaken for dyspraxia?
Conditions that may appear similar include:

• ADHD
• Autism
• Developmental Language Disorder
• Childhood Apraxia of Speech
• Sensory processing differences
• Muscle weakness or neurological conditions

Comprehensive assessment by Occupational Therapy — and Speech Pathology where indicated — helps differentiate these.

How do doctors test for dyspraxia?
There is no single medical test for DCD.
Diagnosis typically involves:

• Developmental history
• Occupational therapy motor assessment
• Review of functional impact at home and school
• Exclusion of other medical causes

If speech or language concerns are present, a Speech Pathology assessment may also form part of the evaluation process.

What are the 3 types of dyspraxia?
Clinically, dyspraxia may affect:

1. Gross motor skills
2. Fine motor skills
3. Motor planning for speech (if oral motor coordination is impacted)

DCD is diagnosed as a single condition with varied presentation. Speech motor planning difficulties are assessed separately by a Speech Pathologist.

Does dyspraxia affect toileting?
Dyspraxia can affect motor planning and sequencing of self-care routines, including aspects of dressing and hygiene.
If concerns involve continence, medical review is recommended. If concerns relate to sequencing or understanding toileting routines, Occupational Therapy and/or Speech Pathology may support depending on the underlying difficulty.

Does dyspraxia get worse with age?
DCD does not typically worsen over time.
However, as life demands become more complex, coordination differences may become more noticeable. With appropriate support, many children develop effective coping strategies and build independence.

What is the root cause of dyspraxia?
The exact cause of DCD is not fully understood.
It is considered a neurodevelopmental difference affecting how the brain plans and coordinates movement. It is not caused by poor parenting, lack of effort, or laziness.

Is dyspraxia caused by trauma?
Developmental Coordination Disorder is not caused by psychological trauma.
If coordination difficulties develop suddenly following illness or injury, medical assessment is required to rule out neurological causes.

What are people with dyspraxia good at?
Many children with DCD demonstrate:

• Creative thinking
• Strong verbal reasoning
• Problem-solving skills
• Persistence
• Big-picture thinking

Motor coordination differences do not reflect intelligence or potential.

What is dyspraxia called in Australia?
The formal diagnostic term used in Australia is:
Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD)
The term dyspraxia is still commonly used informally.

Can you access NDIS support for dyspraxia?
NDIS eligibility depends on the level of functional impact.
DCD alone does not automatically qualify for NDIS. However, if motor coordination differences significantly affect participation, Occupational Therapy and/or Speech Pathology may form part of capacity-building supports.
Eligibility is determined individually by the NDIS.

What are red flags in developmental delay?
Red flags may include:

• Not walking by 18 months
• Significant clumsiness compared to peers
• Persistent difficulty using both hands together
• Ongoing fine motor challenges
• Avoidance of physical activity
• Regression of previously learned skills (requires medical review)

If you have concerns about your child’s development, early assessment is recommended.

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​Referrals to Belong Health
We are Medicare and Private Health fund registered for Occupational Therapy and Speech Pathology.

EPC/Team care arrangements/Chronic disease (CDM) or GP management plans and self-referrals are all acceptable.

WA NDIS Registered Provider  

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Medicare
You can get a referral from your/your child’s GP for OT on a Chronic Disease Management (CDM) plan this gives you 5 sessions for OT per calendar year with a $53 rebate available on each session or a Helping Children with Autism/PDD/ or an eligible disability package (20 sessions between allied health professionals, as set up by a Paediatrician/Psychiatrist) which gives your child under 16 years a $75 rebate per session for the 20 sessions, you can use up to 10 sessions per Health Professional (up to 10 for OT) and you will need a separate referral letter from your child’s Paediatrician for each Allied Health Professional you are seeking services from. 

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Private Health
Your Private Health fund may cover up to 75% of the cost of OT sessions if this is included in your cover, be sure to call them or check your policy for details.

No referral or self referral
You do not require a referral for accessing OT

NDIS Registered Provider
We are an NDIS Registered Provider
Whether you or your child have NDIS funding that is NDIS Managed, Third Party Plan Managed or you are Self-Managing your funds, you are able to use your funding to cover the full cost of therapy services plus travel costs. You will need provide us with your/your child’s NDIS number and plan details ahead of your first session. Once you have booked a session or contacted us, our team will be in touch to discuss our service agreement and provide you with our services price list. 

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Phone: 08 9586 3934

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