What is Dyspraxia?
Dyspraxia can also be referred to as Developmental Co-ordination Disorder (DCD).
Dyspraxia is a condition which occurs when motor performance is substantially below expected levels and affects physical coordination.
It can have an impact on everyday life skills e.g. using cutlery, sitting on a chair, getting dressed, writing and general co-ordination. Pupils with dyspraxia can also find organisation and concentration difficult.
What are the characteristics of Dyspraxia?
Characteristic features of Dyspraxia are clumsiness and difficulties in learning new motor skills, balance, co-ordination, fine motor skills such as pencil control & manipulating tools and organisational skills.
What to look out for in children and young people.
Co-occurring difficulties may be seen in aspects of speech & language, reading, spelling, mental calculation, attention, concentration & personal organisation and social and emotional issues.
Treating Dyspraxia
There is no cure for Dyspraxia, however by implementing effective interventions and resources to support pupils with co-ordination difficulties you can make it easier for children to manage their problems and remove the barrier to learning.
Awareness and training
Children with Dyspraxia who are not recognised may experience failure and frustration, are sometimes perceived as lazy and unmotivated, and may develop difficulties accessing learning or emotional and social problems.
Contact the Learning Support Team to access training, resources and specialist services to help identify and support pupils with possible co-ordination difficulties.
Access resources to support and enhance your capacity to meet the needs of children and young people with a range of learning needs.
Ensure your staff are aware of dyspraxia and have the knowledge required to identify pupils with possible co-ordination difficulties and have the skills to support them in the classroom.
Dyspraxia Pathway booklet
The Dyspraxia Pathway booklet has been developed to help support children and young people with movement difficulties and make it easier for children to manage their problems and remove the barrier to learning.
The booklet will:
- help you to implement your Local Offer as required by the Code of Practice 2014
- identify pupils with co-ordination difficulties
- plan effective interventions and resources to support pupils with co-ordination difficulties
- enable parents to better understand and effectively support their children's difficulties
- suitable for EYFS to KS4
Training is available to support the pathway and provide educational settings with further understanding on how to use the guidance and resources available within the pathway. For more information on training Email: LST@worcestershire.gov.uk
Dyspraxia pathway Feb 2024 (PDF)
Appendix 1 - Child's voice (Word)
Appendix 2 - Parent carer's voice (Word)
Appendix 3 - Request for movement and coordination assessment (Word)