Dyspraxia

What you might notice

Children and young people with dyspraxia may struggle with coordination and motor skills, including:

• difficulty with handwriting (slow, effortful, or hard to read)
• poor pencil grip or awkward posture
• challenges using scissors, rulers, or other classroom tools

Some pupils may:

• find gross motor tasks difficult (like running, jumping, balancing, or participating in sports)
• appear clumsy or frequently bump into things

Others might have difficulty with motor planning, including:

• sequencing movements (like getting dressed, organising equipment)
• learning new physical skills

Show organisational difficulties, such as:

• losing equipment or forgetting instructions
• difficulty managing time or completing multi-step tasks

Some will experience fatigue more quickly when completing motor-based tasks and find it hard to keep up with written work due to the effort required.

Others can also struggle with spatial awareness, including:

• judging distances or positioning on a page
• organising work neatly

Some pupils may also have difficulties with working memory, affecting their ability to:

• follow multi-step instructions
• remember sequences or routines

In some instances pupils might avoid tasks involving writing, PE, or practical activities, and may show reduced confidence.