| What We Treat
Developmental Coordination Disorder
Children do not grow out of coordination difficulties as reliably as is often assumed. Task-specific practice works.
Overview
What It Is
Developmental coordination disorder, sometimes called dyspraxia, is a difficulty acquiring and executing coordinated motor skills that is out of keeping with a child’s age and intelligence. It affects around five percent of children, persists into adulthood in the majority, and responds well to practising the specific tasks that matter rather than to general exercises.
Motor Planning
A difference in how motor plans are formed and refined. Affects around five percent of children and persists in most.
Symptoms
How It Tends to Feel
These are the features that point towards this diagnosis rather than another:
Delayed Motor Milestones
Later than expected with walking, hopping, riding a bike or catching.
Difficulty With Handwriting
Slow, effortful, poorly formed, and tiring.
Avoidance of PE and Sport
Frequently the earliest sign parents notice.
Difficulty With Self-Care
Buttons, laces, cutlery, dressing under time pressure.
Bumping Into Things
Poor spatial awareness and frequent minor accidents.
Fatigue and Frustration
Everything takes more conscious effort than it does for peers.
Causes & Risk Factors
What Drives It
The usual contributors, in rough order of how often they turn out to matter:
Neurodevelopmental Difference
A difference in how motor plans are formed and refined, not a lack of effort.
Prematurity and Low Birth Weight
Both recognised associations.
Family History
Clustering is common.
Co-Occurrence
Frequently alongside ADHD, dyslexia and autism.
How We Can Help You
Treatment & Management
Treatment is built around what the assessment finds, but generally follows this shape:
When to Seek Help
Red Flags — Don’t Ignore These
Most presentations are straightforward. These features are the exceptions, and warrant prompt assessment:
⚠ Seek Medical Advice If You Notice
- Loss of skills previously mastered — this is not DCD and needs prompt medical assessment
- Progressive weakness, or muscle wasting
- Frequent unexplained falls, or falls that are worsening
- Marked asymmetry, with one side clearly worse than the other
If any of these apply, contact your GP or seek urgent medical care rather than waiting for a physiotherapy appointment.
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Will they grow out of it?
Most do not fully. Around half to two-thirds have persisting difficulties into adolescence and adulthood. That is not a reason for pessimism — it is a reason to intervene rather than wait.
What actually helps?
Practising the specific skills that matter to the child. General coordination programmes are much less effective than working directly on riding a bike, catching a ball, or handwriting.
Should they still do PE?
Yes, with sensible adaptation. Withdrawing them protects them short term and costs fitness, confidence and social participation long term.
Not Sure If This Is What You Have?
An assessment will tell you what is actually going on and what to do about it. I see everyone myself, and you will leave with a plan rather than a leaflet.
Book Your Initial AssessmentThis page is for general information only and isn’t a substitute for individual medical advice. If you’re experiencing any of the warning signs above, contact your GP or seek emergency medical care as appropriate.