Dyspraxia in adults

Find out about dyspraxia (developmental co-ordination disorder) in adults, a condition that affects your movement, balance and spatial awareness.

Dyspraxia, also known as developmental co-ordination disorder or DCD, is a condition that mainly affects your movement. It can make daily activities like writing, dressing, or walking up stairs difficult.

There is separate information about dyspraxia (developmental co-ordination disorder) in children.

The main symptoms of dyspraxia include having difficulty with your:

  • movement (motor skills)
  • balance
  • spatial awareness (your sense of the space around you)

This may lead to you bumping into things, falling over, and dropping things.

If you have dyspraxia, you may have difficulty doing things using:

  • your fingers – for example, tying shoelaces, typing, or using small objects such as a tin opener (fine motor skills)
  • your whole body – for example, walking, driving a car, or playing sport (gross motor skills)

Dyspraxia can also make other things difficult, such as:

  • learning new skills and remembering information
  • planning and organising your time
  • managing in social situations and dealing with emotions

Dyspraxia is a condition you are born with.

If you have dyspraxia, you may also have other conditions, such as:

See a GP if:

  • you think you have dyspraxia and it's affecting your home life, work or studies
  • your movement has changed or got worse

It can help to keep a diary of your symptoms so you can describe how dyspraxia affects your life.

If the GP thinks you might have dyspraxia, they will ask about your symptoms and how they affect you. They may also consider other conditions that could be causing your symptoms.

The GP may refer you to a specialist, such as an occupational therapist, who can assess you and give you practical advice about how to manage your symptoms.

The services you can get may depend on what's available in your area.

What happens at a dyspraxia assessment

If you are referred to a specialist, they may:

  • ask about the history of your symptoms – for example, how your symptoms affected you as a child
  • ask how your symptoms affect your everyday life
  • look at your movements, balance and co-ordination

They may also want to talk to someone who knows you well, such as a family member, employer or teacher.

Paying for a dyspraxia assessment

You may choose to pay for a private dyspraxia assessment rather than have it on the NHS.

There's no cure for dyspraxia, but it can be managed in different ways.

Support at work, college or university (reasonable adjustments)

You can request changes to help you manage symptoms of dyspraxia in your workplace, college or university. These are called reasonable adjustments.

Reasonable adjustments may include things like:

  • having a quiet workspace
  • having written instructions as well as spoken instructions
  • allowing extra time to read documents or to complete work

Physiotherapy and occupational therapy

Physiotherapy can help you improve your balance, co-ordination, strength and posture.

Occupational therapy can help you find practical ways to manage tasks at home or at work.

Talking therapies

Talking therapies, such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) or mindfulness, may be recommended for adults with dyspraxia.

Exercise

The benefits of exercise include improving your mood, self-esteem and reducing symptoms of anxiety and depression.

The cause of dyspraxia is not always known, but it often runs in families.

There are other things linked to dyspraxia, including being born premature (before 37 weeks of pregnancy) and having a low birth weight.

The symptoms of dyspraxia can also be caused by a stroke, head injury or another neurological condition.

Some people with dyspraxia call themselves neurodivergent. Neurodiversity describes the range of different ways people's brains work.

If you have dyspraxia, you may be able to get financial support to help you start or stay in work, or while you are studying.

Access to Work

The government's Access to Work scheme offers money towards things like travel costs, specialist equipment, or mental health support.

Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA)

If you’re a student, you may be able to get money from the government towards things like a computer and travel costs.