We all know the “clumsy” kid in the movie. The one who trips over his own shoelaces, drops the ball, and knocks over the vase. We laugh, call it a phase, and assume they will grow out of it.

But for some children, “clumsiness” isn’t a funny quirk or a phase. It is a persistent neurological condition called Dyspraxia, or medically known as Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD).

DCD affects about 5-6% of school-aged children. That is roughly one child in every classroom. Yet, it is often undiagnosed or mistaken for laziness or carelessness.

What is Dyspraxia (DCD)?

Think of the brain as a computer and the body as a printer. In a child with DCD, the computer works perfectly (intelligence is normal), and the printer works perfectly (muscles are strong). The problem is the cable connecting them. The message from the brain to “pick up the cup” gets scrambled on its way to the hand. The hand moves too fast, too slow, or misses the cup entirely.

It is a problem with Motor Planning: having an idea, planning the movement, and executing it.

Signs It Might Be DCD (Not Just Clumsiness)

If your child is constantly bumping into things, that’s a clue. But look deeper:

1. The “Messy” Eater Does your 7-year-old still eat like a toddler? Spilling drinks, dropping food, and struggling to use a knife and fork are classic signs. It requires complex coordination to cut food while holding it still.

2. The Clothing Struggle Buttons, zippers, and shoelaces are the enemies of a child with DCD. They may avoid wearing jeans or refuse to learn to tie shoes because their fingers just won’t cooperate.

3. Avoiding Sports A child with DCD knows they are different. They know they are the last one picked for the team because they can’t catch the ball. You might hear, “I hate soccer” or “I don’t want to go to the playground.” This is often a defense mechanism to avoid embarrassment.

4. Handwriting Fatigue Writing requires fine motor control. Kids with DCD often grip the pencil too hard (to compensate for lack of control), leading to hand pain, slow writing, and messy paper.

5. Bumping into People They have poor spatial awareness. They might stand too close to others or accidentally knock over a classmate, which can lead to social problems (“He hit me!”).

The Emotional Toll

The hardest part of DCD isn’t the physical struggle; it’s the emotional one. Imagine trying your hardest to pour a glass of milk, spilling it, and being scolded for “not paying attention.” Children with DCD often have low self-esteem and high anxiety. They feel like their body is betraying them.

How to Help: The Role of Occupational Therapy

The good news is that the brain is plastic. While DCD doesn’t “go away,” children can learn strategies to master motor skills.

Occupational Therapy (OT) is the gold standard treatment. At Little Land, an OT might work on:

• Breaking skills down: Instead of “tie your shoes,” we teach step 1 (the cross), then step 2 (the loop). We practice each step until the neural pathway is formed.
• Strengthening Core Stability: A stable body makes it easier to control the hands.
• Sensory Integration: Helping the brain process where the body is in space.

What You Can Do at Home

• Switch to Velcro: Stop the shoe-tying war. Buy Velcro shoes so they can be independent.
• Use thicker pencils: Easier to grip.
• Focus on “Individual” Sports: Team sports (soccer/baseball) are chaotic and fast. Try swimming, martial arts, or cycling. These are repetitive and predictable, allowing the child to master the movement at their own pace.
• Praise Effort, Not Result: “I saw how hard you focused on carrying that plate. Great job.”

If you suspect your child is struggling with motor planning, come talk to us. We can help assess whether it is typical development or something that needs a little extra support. Your child isn’t “clumsy” or “lazy”, they just need a different way to learn.