When you first notice your child struggling with eating or watch them fumble with a pencil again, it hits you. Something feels different. Maybe they’re avoiding playground equipment or getting frustrated during PE lessons. If your child has dyspraxia (also called Developmental Coordination Disorder), these everyday moments can feel like mountains to climb.
But here’s what we know — and what really matters for your family: your child’s potential isn’t limited by dyspraxia. Yes, their brain processes movement differently, but think of it this way — we just need to help them find their own route to get there. With support from paediatric occupational therapists across the UK, children do learn to navigate their world. Confidence grows, bit by bit.
At PT Kids, we see each child’s journey with dyspraxia in children’s occupational therapy as exactly that — their own unique path. No two children are alike. Some struggle more with gross motor skills like running or jumping. Others find fine motor tasks like writing or using cutlery more challenging. That’s why our approach isn’t one-size-fits-all (because honestly, what works for one child might completely miss the mark for another).
What Does Dyspraxia Mean in Everyday Life?
Dyspraxia isn’t just about being “clumsy” — though that’s often how it appears on the surface. It’s how the brain organises and executes movement patterns. Think of it like this: your child knows exactly what they want their body to do, but the messages get a bit scrambled along the way.
You might notice your child takes longer to get dressing, struggles with handwriting, or seems to bump into things more often. Maybe they avoid certain activities or get overwhelmed in busy environments. These aren’t behaviour issues — they’re signs that your child’s motor planning system needs some extra support.
According to NHS guidance on developmental coordination disorder, early intervention through occupational therapy for dyspraxia can significantly improve long-term outcomes. The key is understanding that every small step forward matters, even when progress feels slow.
Why a Dyspraxia Occupational Therapy Assessment Changes Everything
A dyspraxia occupational therapy assessment isn’t about putting a label on your child — it’s about really understanding how they move through the world. When our occupational therapists watch your child play, tackle daily tasks, or even just sit at a table, we’re piecing together what support will work best for them.
We watch how they hold things, how they move around — you know, the basics. But honestly? It’s often the smaller stuff that gives us the real picture. How do they sit when they’re concentrating? What happens in their mind before they reach for something? How do they get from “I want to do this” to actually doing it?
And every child — seriously, every single one — has something they’re really good at. Could be storytelling, could be persistence, could be making everyone laugh. Whatever it is, that’s our starting point. Because building on what they’re already good at just makes sense.
Most parents tell us the assessment was like having a lightbulb moment. Not because we handed them a diagnosis, but because all those everyday struggles finally had an explanation. And once you understand the ‘why,’ figuring out the ‘how to help’ becomes so much clearer.
Dyspraxia Therapy Activities That Actually Work
Here’s where therapy gets interesting — it rarely looks like what you’d expect. The best dyspraxia therapy activities disguise hard work as play. We might have your child walk along a balance beam (building core stability and spatial awareness), but they’re convinced they’re crossing a river to rescue their favourite toy.
Most activities for a child with dyspraxia work by taking something complicated and breaking it down. Ball games help with coordination and planning movements. Setting up obstacle courses (even just using sofa cushions) gets them thinking about their body in space. Something as ordinary as squishing playdough actually strengthens all those tiny hand muscles they’ll need for writing later.
The magic happens when children don’t realise they’re working on their challenges — they’re just having fun. And when confidence starts building in one area, it spreads to others. We’ve seen children who were terrified of PE lessons become playground leaders, simply because therapy helped them trust their bodies again.
Simple Activities You Can Try at Home
The beauty of supporting a child with dyspraxia is that some of the most effective occupational therapy activities for dyspraxia happen in your own home. You don’t need expensive equipment — just creativity and patience.
Try setting up a simple obstacle course using cushions and furniture. Your child has to crawl under the coffee table, step over pillows, and maybe toss a bean bag into a bucket. It’s working on so many skills at once (spatial awareness, motor planning, balance), but it feels like a game.
Baking is another winner. Measuring ingredients, stirring, and rolling dough — these activities build fine motor skills and bilateral coordination. Plus, there’s cake at the end, which makes everything better.
Card games, jigsaw puzzles, and arts and crafts all help with hand-eye coordination and concentration. The key is finding what your child enjoys, then building from there. Some days will be better than others — and that’s completely normal.
Moving Forward With Confidence
Learning how to help a child with dyspraxia isn’t about fixing them — it’s about giving them tools to succeed in their own way. With proper assessment and targeted therapy activities, children learn strategies that suit their unique brains and bodies.
We’ve worked with families who thought their child would never be able to ride a bike, manage self feeding skills, or write legibly. Yet with time, patience, and the right support, these children surprised everyone (including themselves). Progress might not always be linear, but it’s always meaningful.
At PT Kids, we understand that supporting a child with dyspraxia means supporting the whole family. That’s why our occupational therapists don’t just work with your child — we equip you with practical strategies, answer your questions, and celebrate every milestone along the way.
Book your child’s assessment with PT Kids today. Let’s work together to help your child flourish, dyspraxia and all.
