Coordination difficulties (DCD)
4 – 18 years · 4 min read
Developmental coordination disorder (DCD), sometimes called dyspraxia, means a child finds it much harder than others to plan and coordinate movements, from buttons and handwriting to catching a ball or riding a bicycle. It is not due to weakness or low intelligence.
What parents often notice
- Seeming clumsy: bumping into things, falling often, spilling.
- Struggling with buttons, zips, laces, cutlery or scissors long after peers manage.
- Slow, tiring or hard-to-read handwriting.
- Avoiding sports and playground games; getting left out.
What helps at home
- Practise one skill at a time in short, fun sessions, a few minutes daily beats an hour once a week.
- Break skills into steps and practise the last step first so they finish with success.
- Choose clothes with elastic waists and Velcro while skills are building.
- Try activities that build strength and balance: swimming, climbing, carrying, playing catch with a big soft ball.
When to talk to a professional
- Coordination problems affect self-care, schoolwork or play, and aren’t improving.
- Your child is losing confidence or avoiding activity.
Who can help
- Occupational therapist
- Physiotherapist
- Developmental paediatrician
Sources
Last updated 28 September 2026 · General information, not medical advice. It is not a diagnosis or a substitute for a qualified professional.