Understanding Childhood Dyspraxia

by | Oct 25, 2025 | Speech Sounds, Speech Therapy for Children

At Perth Speech Therapy, we often meet families who are concerned about their child’s clumsiness, unclear speech, or difficulties with everyday tasks like tying shoelaces or writing. One possible explanation is Childhood Dyspraxia, also known as Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD).

This blog explains what dyspraxia is, how it affects children, and how speech therapy can help.

What Is Childhood Dyspraxia?

Childhood Dyspraxia (DCD) is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects how the brain plans and organises movements. Instead of smooth, coordinated actions, children may struggle with motor planning — the process of sequencing the steps needed to complete a movement.

This can impact:

  • Everyday tasks like dressing, eating, and writing

  • Gross motor skills (running, jumping, riding a bike)

  • Fine motor skills (using scissors, tying shoelaces, buttoning clothes)

  • Speech movements, when dyspraxia affects the muscles of the mouth and face

When speech is affected, it is sometimes called oral dyspraxia or verbal dyspraxia, leading to unclear or inconsistent speech.

Dyspraxia vs. Apraxia of Speech

Parents often hear both terms and feel confused. Here’s the difference:

  • Dyspraxia → difficulties with general movement planning (body, hands, and sometimes the mouth).

  • Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS) → specifically affects planning the movements needed for speech.

Some children experience both, which is why speech pathologists often work alongside occupational therapists and physiotherapists.

Common Signs Families Might Notice

Dyspraxia looks different in every child. Early signs may include:

  • Gross motor challenges: trouble running, jumping, catching a ball, or learning to ride a bike

  • Fine motor difficulties: problems with handwriting, cutting with scissors, or managing buttons/zippers

  • Speech concerns: unclear or effortful speech, mouth “groping” when trying to talk, inconsistent sound errors

  • Daily organisation: struggles with planning routines or completing multi-step tasks

How Speech Pathologists Help Children With Dyspraxia

While occupational therapists support body coordination, speech pathologists play a key role when dyspraxia impacts oral and verbal skills. Therapy may include:

  1. Motor Planning for Speech

    • Structured, repetitive activities to strengthen sequencing of speech movements

    • Approaches such as Dynamic Temporal and Tactile Cueing (DTTC) or PROMPT therapy

    • Frequent practice of meaningful words and phrases, gradually increasing complexity

  2. Building Confidence

    • Reducing frustration by focusing on communication success

    • Encouraging self-esteem through achievable goals

  3. Supporting Communication Beyond Speech

    • Introducing AAC (augmentative and alternative communication), such as gestures, picture systems, or apps

    • Helping children express themselves while continuing to develop spoken language

What Therapy Looks Like in Practice

A tailored therapy plan may include:

  • Short, frequent sessions to build motor learning

  • Repetitive practice focused on movement patterns, not just sounds

  • Visual, tactile, and verbal cues to “teach” correct movements

  • Parent coaching to embed practice into daily life routines (games, mealtimes, story time)

Families often see faster progress when therapy strategies are continued at home in fun, natural ways.

Prognosis and Family Support

Dyspraxia is a lifelong condition, but with early intervention and consistent support, children can make significant gains in speech and independence. Parents are central to progress:

  • Encourage effort, not perfection

  • Allow extra time for coordination and planning

  • Celebrate every communication attempt, whether spoken or supported by AAC

  • Stay involved in therapy to help your child thrive across home and school

Specialist Support at Perth Speech Therapy

At Perth Speech Therapy, our therapists are trained in evidence-based methods such as PROMPT Therapy, which uses tactile facial prompts and pressure to guide accurate speech production.

We work with families to reduce stress, improve communication, and help children build independence and confidence.

Frequently Asked Questions About Childhood Dyspraxia

1. Is dyspraxia the same as being clumsy?

Not exactly. While many children with dyspraxia may appear clumsy, the condition is about more than coordination. Dyspraxia (Developmental Coordination Disorder) affects how the brain plans and sequences movements. This impacts everyday tasks like dressing, writing, speech, and play.

2. Can children outgrow dyspraxia?

Dyspraxia is a lifelong condition, but with early therapy and family support, children can develop strategies to improve movement, speech, and independence. The earlier the intervention, the better the long-term outcomes.

3. How is dyspraxia different from apraxia of speech?

  • Dyspraxia affects general motor planning, which can include body movements, fine motor skills, and sometimes speech.

  • Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS) specifically affects planning the movements needed for clear speech.
    Some children may experience both, which is why a team approach (speech therapy + occupational therapy + physiotherapy) can be most effective.

4. What are the early signs of dyspraxia?

Parents may notice:

  • Difficulty learning to ride a bike or catch a ball

  • Struggles with handwriting, buttons, or shoelaces

  • Unclear or inconsistent speech

  • Trouble planning daily routines or multi-step tasks

If you’re noticing several of these, it may be worth seeking an assessment.

5. How can speech therapy help a child with dyspraxia?

At Perth Speech Therapy, our speech pathologists focus on:

  • Motor-based approaches such as PROMPT and DTTC to improve speech movements

  • Building confidence and reducing frustration at mealtimes, school, and social settings

  • Supporting communication with AAC tools when speech is especially difficult

  • Coaching parents to continue therapy strategies at home

6. Where can I get help in Perth for dyspraxia?

Perth Speech Therapy provides specialised support for children with dyspraxia. Our therapists are trained in PROMPT Therapy and use evidence-based methods to help children improve communication and independence. Families in Perth can contact us at info@perthspeechtherapy.com.au for more information or to book an appointment.

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