Dyspraxia, also referred to as Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD), is a term used to describe difficulties an individual has with coordination and movement, affecting 6% of the population. People with dyspraxia sometimes require support to help with any struggles they may face. While some may not need any support at all, others may benefit from changes to their lifestyle and support from those around them.

Needs-based assessment

Support can come in many different forms, depending on the individual's specific needs and circumstances. A needs-based assessment seeks to identify a person's specific needs and find strategies to make their daily life easier. It considers a person's strengths and difficulties across various areas and wants to identify strategies to help with this. The assessment is tailored to the individual's needs, so it's important to be clear about what area of life you'd like to improve. The needs-based assessment is different from the diagnostic assessment and does not require a diagnosis.

If you would like a needs-based assessment, you can ask your GP to refer you to an occupational therapist, physiotherapist, or mental health practitioner, depending on what area you need support with. You may also be able to access this assessment through your university, employer, or job centre.

Support available

👉🏽 Coaching

A dyspraxia coach can help with goal setting, action planning, and building on strengths. They might also help someone implement strategies to overcome any struggles they experience due to dyspraxia. Have a look at how our coaching can help someone with dyspraxia.

👉🏽 Occupational therapy

Occupational therapists work with individuals to develop strategies for improving their coordination, balance, and spatial awareness. They may also adapt frequently used items, provide physical aids, or suggest assistive technologies to improve the person's daily functioning.

👉🏽 Physical therapy

Physical therapists can work with individuals to develop customized exercise programs that target their specific needs and goals, working to help improve their strength, endurance and motor skills.

👉🏽 Speech therapy

Speech therapists help individuals develop strategies for communicating effectively with others while improving their language skills, including speech articulation, vocabulary, and grammar.

👉🏽 Workplace or classroom accommodations

This may include extra time on exams or the use of assistive technology such as voice-to-text software or speech recognition software.

People with dyspraxia might also be able to get support from the government's Access to Work programme. People with dyspraxia may also fall under the Equality Act (2010) and so would be entitled to additional support from their employer.

At university, students with dyspraxia are often provided with additional support. This support can differ depending on the university so it is best to discuss with the individual university. They may also be able to access the Disabled Student’s Allowance.

👉🏽 Family and friends

Family and friends can help provide emotional support and encouragement to help people with dyspraxia feel confident and capable. There are also forums and charity hotlines available for use.

Other helpful strategies

People with dyspraxia may also want to think about changing their environment, or putting in place strategies to make their lives easier. This might include:

👉🏽 exercising regularly to help with coordination, posture and fatigue

👉🏽 using a laptop or computer instead of handwriting

👉🏽 using a diary for organisation

👉🏽 identifying strengths so in order to maximise work and enjoyment!