Understanding Childhood Dyspraxia

by | Oct 27, 2025 | Speech Sounds, Speech Therapy for Children

What is Childhood Dyspraxia?

Childhood Dyspraxia, also known as Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD), is a neurodevelopmental condition that impacts a child’s ability to plan, organise, and carry out smooth, purposeful movements. Children with dyspraxia are often described as clumsy or uncoordinated, but the underlying challenge lies in motor planning — how the brain sequences movements needed for everyday tasks like dressing, writing, speaking, or playing.

Dyspraxia may affect:

  • Gross motor skills (big movements such as running, jumping, riding a bike)

  • Fine motor skills (precise movements such as writing, using scissors, tying shoelaces)

  • Oral and verbal motor skills (planning movements needed for clear speech)

Because of this wide impact, dyspraxia can influence both communication and daily independence.

Dyspraxia vs. Apraxia of Speech

The terms dyspraxia and apraxia are sometimes confused. Here’s the difference:

  • Dyspraxia: difficulties with general movement planning, which can affect body coordination, hand skills, and sometimes speech.

  • Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS): difficulties specifically with speech motor planning and sequencing movements for talking.

Some children experience both conditions, requiring joint support from speech pathologists, occupational therapists, and physiotherapists.

Common Signs Families Might Notice

Signs of dyspraxia can vary between children. Parents may see challenges in:

  • Gross motor skills: finding it hard to ride a bike, catch a ball, or coordinate running and jumping.

  • Fine motor skills: struggling with handwriting, using cutlery, doing up buttons, or tying shoelaces.

  • Speech and communication: unclear or effortful speech, inconsistent pronunciation, or mouth “groping” movements when trying to talk.

  • Everyday routines: difficulty planning or remembering multi-step tasks like packing a bag or following instructions.

How Speech Pathologists Help with Dyspraxia

While occupational therapists support body coordination, speech pathologists focus on communication and oral motor skills. At Perth Speech Therapy, therapy may include:

1. Improving Motor Planning for Speech

  • Structured, repetitive activities to strengthen planning and sequencing.

  • Motor-based therapy approaches such as PROMPT or Dynamic Temporal and Tactile Cueing (DTTC).

  • Gradual progression from single words to connected speech with increasing independence.

2. Building Confidence & Communication Success

  • Focus on functional, meaningful communication.

  • Reducing frustration by celebrating effort and progress.

  • Supporting self-esteem so children feel confident to interact socially and at school.

3. Supporting Communication with AAC

When speech is difficult, temporary support with augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) may be recommended, such as:

  • Gestures or key signs

  • Picture symbols or boards

  • Communication apps

This ensures children are understood while continuing to strengthen verbal skills.

What Therapy Looks Like in Practice

A therapy program for dyspraxia may involve:

  • Regular, short, intensive sessions to maximise motor learning.

  • Repetitive speech practice focusing on patterns and movement, not just sounds.

  • Visual, tactile, and verbal cues to help children feel correct movements.

  • Parent coaching, so strategies can be embedded in everyday routines (mealtimes, play, story time).

Prognosis and Family Support

Dyspraxia is a lifelong condition, but with early intervention and consistent support, children can make significant improvements in both speech and daily functioning. Parents play a vital role by:

  • Encouraging effort over perfection

  • Allowing extra time for planning and coordination

  • Embedding practice at home in daily routines

  • Working closely with therapists to keep strategies consistent across home and school

With the right support, children with dyspraxia can achieve stronger communication, independence, and confidence.

Why Choose Perth Speech Therapy?

At Perth Speech Therapy, our team is trained in specialised motor-based approaches, including PROMPT therapy, which uses facial prompts and tactile feedback to guide accurate speech sound production.

📧 For more information, contact us at info@perthspeechtherapy.com.au or visit our website: www.perthspeechtherapy.com.au

Childhood Dyspraxia FAQs

What is Childhood Dyspraxia?

Childhood Dyspraxia, also known as Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD), is a condition that affects how the brain plans and sequences movements. It can impact motor coordination, speech, and daily tasks like dressing, writing, or riding a bike.

Is Dyspraxia the same as Apraxia of Speech?

No. Dyspraxia affects general movement planning and body coordination, while Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS) specifically affects the planning of speech movements. Some children may experience both, which requires specialised therapy support.

Can children grow out of Dyspraxia?

Dyspraxia is considered a lifelong condition, but children can make significant progress with early intervention. With consistent therapy and family support, they often gain greater independence, clearer communication, and improved confidence.

How does Speech Therapy help children with Dyspraxia?

Speech Pathologists help by:

  • Using motor-based therapies like PROMPT and DTTC to strengthen speech movement planning.

  • Supporting functional communication and confidence.

  • Introducing AAC strategies (such as picture symbols or apps) if needed to reduce frustration while building verbal skills.

What is PROMPT Therapy?

PROMPT Therapy is a tactile approach where the therapist uses gentle touch cues on the face and jaw to guide correct speech movements. At Perth Speech Therapy, our therapists are trained in PROMPT and use it to help children with dyspraxia achieve clearer, more confident speech.

When should I see a Speech Pathologist for Dyspraxia?

If your child struggles with coordination, unclear speech, or frustration when trying to talk, it may be time to seek support. Early assessment helps identify challenges and start the right therapy plan. Families in Perth can contact Perth Speech Therapy for tailored guidance.