Occupational Therapy
Developmental coordination disorder (dyspraxia) in children
Clinically reviewed by Hannah Chamberlain
DCD (often called dyspraxia) affects a child's motor coordination — handwriting, dressing, sport. Occupational therapy builds the skills that matter.
Clinically reviewed by Hannah Chamberlain
Last reviewed 31 May 2026
This page reflects current clinical guidance. See the Hey Sprout editorial policy for review cadence and corrections.
What developmental coordination disorder is
Developmental coordination disorder (DCD) — widely called dyspraxia in Australia — is a common, lifelong condition where a child has ongoing difficulty coordinating their movements, well beyond what's expected for their age, and this gets in the way of everyday activities.[] It affects fine and/or gross motor coordination — the planning and execution of movement — and isn't explained by another medical condition.
It's more than being "a bit clumsy": DCD makes the ordinary mechanics of childhood — handwriting, getting dressed, using cutlery, catching a ball — genuinely hard, which can dent confidence and lead a child to opt out.
What it looks like
- Messy, slow, or effortful handwriting
- Trouble with dressing — buttons, laces, zips
- Difficulty with cutlery, drink bottles, lunchbox lids
- Struggles with sport and playground games; avoiding them
- Bumping into things, dropping things, appearing disorganised in movement
- Frustration, or pulling back from physical and self-care tasks
How occupational therapy helps
Occupational therapy for DCD focuses on the practical skills that matter to the child and family, and the strongest current evidence supports goal-directed, task-oriented approaches.[] A well-researched example is CO-OP (Cognitive Orientation to daily Occupational Performance), which teaches children problem-solving strategies to figure out movement challenges themselves — building skills that generalise, not just rote drills.
A typical plan includes:
- Identifying goals — the specific tasks the child wants to master (handwriting, riding a bike, dressing)
- Task-oriented practice — working directly on those activities, broken into achievable steps
- Cognitive strategies (CO-OP) — teaching the child to plan, do, and check their own movement
- Environmental tweaks and parent coaching — so skills carry into home and school
NDIS funding
DCD can meet NDIS access criteria where it's permanent and substantially affects daily functioning.[] An occupational therapy assessment supports an access request. If approved, OT is typically funded under Capacity Building — Improved Daily Living. For families without NDIS funding, sessions are private-pay at the NDIS rate.
What a Hey Sprout session looks like
Sessions run online via secure video, focused on real goals in your child's own environment — which is ideal for DCD, because the skills are practised where they're actually used. We coach parents to support practice between sessions. We hold your slot before asking for any NDIS or plan-manager details.
Frequently asked questions
Is DCD the same as dyspraxia?
In Australia the two terms are generally used interchangeably for the same presentation — ongoing difficulty with motor coordination that isn't explained by another condition. "Developmental coordination disorder" (DCD) is the formal diagnostic term.
Is my child just clumsy?
DCD is more than ordinary clumsiness — it's a persistent difficulty coordinating movements that gets in the way of everyday activities like dressing, handwriting, using cutlery, or sport, beyond what's expected for their age. If coordination is affecting daily life, it's worth an assessment.
Who diagnoses DCD?
A diagnosis can be made by a paediatrician, psychologist, or occupational therapist, usually drawing on standardised motor assessment plus information about daily functioning. You don't need a diagnosis to start OT support.
How does occupational therapy help?
OT helps a child build the practical skills that matter to them — and a well-evidenced approach called CO-OP teaches children problem-solving strategies to work out movement challenges themselves. Therapy focuses on real goals like handwriting, dressing, or riding a bike.
Does DCD qualify for NDIS funding?
DCD can meet NDIS access criteria where it's permanent and substantially affects daily functioning. An OT assessment supports an access request. If approved, OT is typically funded under Capacity Building — Improved Daily Living.
How Hey Sprout supports this
Related conditions
ADHD in children and adolescents
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common neurodevelopmental conditions in Australian children, affecting roughly 1 in 20.
Autism (Level 1 and Level 2) in children
Autism is a lifelong neurodevelopmental difference. Level 1 and Level 2 children typically benefit from speech, OT, and psychology support — and most are NDIS-eligible.
Cerebral palsy — therapy support for children
Cerebral palsy affects movement and posture. Goal-directed OT and speech therapy build independence and communication, online and coordinated with your team.
Down syndrome — therapy support for children
Children with Down syndrome thrive with early, consistent therapy. Speech and OT build communication and daily-living skills, online and parent-coached.
References
- Occupational therapy for children with developmental coordination disorder (DCD) — information sheet — Sydney Children's Hospitals Network, 2024
- Children with developmental coordination disorders: a review of approaches to assessment and intervention — Frontiers in Neurology, 2024
- Assessing children to identify developmental coordination disorder: a survey of occupational therapists in Australia — Australian Occupational Therapy Journal, 2023
