Dyspraxia is a specific type of disorder in the area of motor skill development. It is estimated that it affects at least 2% of the general population, 70% of whom are male. Like all learning disabilities, it is a life long condition. With the help of alternate learning methods, repeated practice of basic tasks, and in some cases occupational, physical and speech therapy, a person with dyspraxia can learn to function and succeed independently. It often co-exists with other learning disabilities (eg. dyslexia, dyscalculia and dysgraphia) and can affect a variety of basic functions required for daily living.

Categories of Dyspraxia

• Ideomotor Dyspraxia - Inability to complete single-step motor tasks such as combing hair and waving goodbye.


• Ideational Dyspraxia - Difficulty with multi-step tasks like brushing teeth, making a bed, putting clothes on in order, as well as buttoning and buckling


• Oromotor Dyspraxia - Difficulties coordinating the muscle movements needed to pronounce words


• Constructional Dyspraxia - Problems with establishing spatial relationships - for instance being able to accurately position or move objects from one place to another

Dyspraxia at Different Ages

Young Children

• Difficulty learning to walk, jump and skip


• Trouble pronouncing words and being understood


• Slow to establish left- or right-handedness


• Frequently bumps into things


• Easily irritated by touch – clothing on skin, hair brushing, etc.

School Age Children

• Trouble with activities that require fine motor skills, like holding a pencil, buttoning, using scissors


• Poor coordination - trouble with sports activities


• Slow or difficult-to- understand speech


• Speech problems can cause social awkwardness and unwillingness to attempt social interactions

Teenagers & Adults

• Trouble with speech control - volume, pitch, articulation


• Difficulty writing


• Extreme sensitivity to light, touch, space, taste, smells


• Difficulty with personal grooming


• Difficulty driving


• Very clumsy

If a person continues to display difficulty over time in the areas outlined above, testing for dyspraxia by trained professionals should be considered.