Dyspraxia (childhood)

Dyspraxia is a disability that can affect movement and coordination because brain messages are not properly transmitted to the body.

It is known as a motor learning disability. This is a disability characterised by difficulty in planning smooth, coordinated movements. Dyspraxia leads to clumsiness and problems with language, perception and thought (see Symptoms).

Having dyspraxia does not change how intelligent a child is, but it does affect their learning ability.

Dyspraxia is fairly common in both adults and children and used to be known as Clumsy Child Syndrome.

These pages focus on dyspraxia in children.

How common is it?

Dyspraxia is thought to affect up to 10% of the UK population. Boys are four times more likely to develop it than girls.

Up to one in 30 children have dyspraxia, so in an average class at school there may be at least one child with the condition.

Dyspraxia sometimes runs in families.

Outlook

There is no cure for dyspraxia. However, with the help of specialists such as speech and language therapists and occupational therapists, there is a good chance your child's problems will improve before they reach adolescence.