Developmental Coordination disorder (DCD) or Dyspraxia
Developmental co-ordination disorder (DCD), also known as dyspraxia, is a condition affecting physical co-ordination. It causes a child to perform less well than expected in daily activities for their age, and appear to move clumsily.
If your child is finding everyday activities more difficult than expected - such as using cutlery, catching a ball, or keeping up with classmates they may benefit from an Occupational Therapy (OT) Assessment.
This can be the first step in understanding why there are difficulties and what to do next.
Benefits include:
● Clarity and understanding – Know whether motor or sensory differences are
affecting your child’s daily activities.
● Practical strategies – Receive personalised recommendations you can use at home
and school.
● Strength-based approach – Learn how to build on your child’s abilities while
supporting areas of difficulty.
● Improved confidence – Helping your child feel more capable in learning, play, and
social situations.
Our Services
DCD Assessment
Our comprehensive assessment takes around 2 hours. Prior to the assessment you will be contacted by the OT completing the assessment to discuss the difficulties you are seeing over the phone.
You will then be seen face to face in clinic, we look closely at your child’s:
● Gross motor skills (e.g., running, jumping, balance)
● Fine motor skills (e.g., writing, fastening buttons, using scissors)
● Sensory profile (including sensory–motor skills, such as body awareness and movement control)
Following the Occupational Therapy Assessment, your child will be seen by a Paediatrician for a physical examination. Together, the findings will help determine whether your child meets the criteria for a diagnosis of Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD).
Regardless of whether a diagnosis is given, you will receive a detailed written report with clear recommendations and practical strategies that you can use at home and share with your child’s school.
Assessments We Use
Movement Assessment Battery for Children – Third Edition (Movement ABC-3)
This is one of the most widely used tools worldwide for identifying motor difficulties in children and young people. It helps us understand not just whether a motor delay or impairment is present, but also how it may be affecting your child’s ability to carry out everyday tasks at home or at school.
The Movement ABC-3 looks at three key areas:
● Manual Dexterity – hand skills, such as using cutlery, tying shoelaces, or writing.
● Aiming & Catching – ball skills and hand–eye coordination.
● Balance & Locomotion – both static balance (e.g., standing still) and dynamic balance (e.g., moving through space).
Results are presented in a traffic-light system (green, amber, red) to highlight your child’s strengths as well as areas needing support.
Sensory Processing Measure – Second Edition (SPM-2)
Because sensory processing plays such a big role in motor development, we also assess your child’s sensory profile. The SPM-2 helps us understand how your child responds to and processes different types of sensory input, including:
● Visual (sight)
● Auditory (hearing)
● Tactile (touch)
● Olfactory and gustatory (smell and taste)
● Proprioceptive (body awareness)
● Vestibular (balance and movement)
This tool also provides insight into praxis (motor planning) and social participation, helping us see the bigger picture of how sensory and motor skills work together in daily life.