Developmental co-ordination difficulties

Provision and / or strategies:

Developmental co-ordination difficulties was previously known as dyspraxia. In addition to the strategies suggested in the Cognition and Learning section, the following may be of help.

• Develop the child or young person’s core stability e.g. wobble cushion, exercises and games.
• Ensure correct seating position with appropriately sized table and chairs. Practitioners should discuss any specialist equipment needs with the most appropriate professional.
• Provide a variety of opportunities for mark making e.g. water and paint brushes, mud and sticks, wet and dry sand, before progressing on to using more formal mark making tools such as pencil and crayons. Pencil grips, sloping boards may support the use of these more formal tools.
• Provide physical activities to support development of gross motor skills e.g. throwing, catching, hopping etc. In addition, offer opportunities for a child to cross their mid-line, e.g. waving scarves, ribbons, pom-poms.
• Develop fine motor skills e.g. hand and arm exercises, specialist scissors, pegboard, threading, play dough, and pincher grips activities e.g. pegs onto washing line.
• Provide sequencing and organisational skills e.g. now / next boards, writing frames, visual timetables and clear and consistent routines.

Last updated 1 November 2021