Could I have dyspraxia?
Understanding dyspraxia in adults
Dyspraxia, also known as Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD), is a lifelong condition that mainly affects movement and coordination. Everyday activities can require more time, concentration and effort.
Everyone’s experience is different. You might find some tasks straightforward while others feel difficult, even after practice.
Dyspraxia begins in childhood, but it may not be recognised until adulthood. Some people develop ways of managing or avoiding difficult activities, only noticing the impact when the demands of work, study or daily life change.
Signs an assessment may help
An assessment may be worth considering if you recognise longstanding coordination difficulties that affect your everyday life. For example:
- Using your hands: handwriting, managing buttons, using cutlery or handling tools feels slow or awkward.
- Balance and movement: you frequently trip, bump into things, drop objects or find coordinated activities difficult.
- Learning physical skills: learning to drive, ride a bike, exercise or use unfamiliar equipment takes considerable practice.
- Managing everyday tasks: activities such as dressing, preparing food or completing practical work tasks take extra effort.
- Working around difficulties: you rely on particular routines, avoid certain activities or spend extra time preparing so that difficulties are less visible.
You may remember finding handwriting, PE, dressing or learning to ride a bike difficult as a child. You do not need to identify with every example to ask for advice.
What about organisation, sensory needs and fatigue?
Some adults with dyspraxia also experience difficulties with planning, organisation, attention or sensory processing. Everyday tasks may feel tiring because of the effort involved.
These experiences matter, but they do not establish dyspraxia on their own. Assessment considers coordination, developmental history and the impact on daily life, alongside other possible explanations. Dyspraxia can also occur alongside conditions such as ADHD, autism or dyslexia.
What can an assessment help me understand?
An assessment brings together your history, everyday experiences and an exploration of your movement and coordination.
It can help you understand your strengths and difficulties, consider whether your experiences are consistent with DCD, and identify practical support. Recommendations may include different ways of approaching tasks, useful equipment or adjustments at work or in education.
Recognising yourself in this page does not confirm a diagnosis. Similar difficulties can have other causes, and medical input may be needed to clarify these.
When to speak to your GP
If coordination difficulties are new or getting worse, speak to your GP rather than assuming they are developmental dyspraxia.
A medical review can also help rule out other explanations for longstanding movement difficulties.
Adult dyspraxia assessments at Herts Beds OT
£750 | For adults aged 18 and over
Our occupational therapy assessment explores your coordination, everyday activities and what matters to you. You receive a written report explaining the findings and personalised recommendations.
Unsure whether an assessment is right for you? Contact us to discuss your experiences and the support you are looking for.