Dyspraxia/DCD is a common neurodevelopmental disorder that is diagnosed when an individual has difficulty learning and performing motor skills used in everyday life. The individual may have difficulty with small, or fine, motor skills involved in dressing, writing or using eating utensils and/or large, or gross, motor skills involved in ball skills or riding a bike. Academic and work performance are also affected by these motor difficulties.
Although motor skill difficulties are central to the diagnosis of Dyspraxia/DCD, individuals may appear to have very different symptoms from one another. Some may have more difficulty with fine motor skills while others may struggle primarily with gross motor skills. Some individuals are severely affected, while others may have moderate or mild symptoms. Further, symptoms may vary, with an individual having some days that are better than others.
This variability adds to the difficulty in identifying and diagnosing Dyspraxia/DCD. However, even for those with mild symptoms, a diagnosis can be an important key to obtaining proper support and having the opportunity to live up to one’s full potential.