Are dyspraxia and developmental coordination disorder (DCD) the same thing?
Developmental coordination difficulties are thought to affect between 5-10% of school-aged children, with 2% being severely affected. In the UK these difficulties are often referred to as dyspraxia, although in other countries the term developmental coordination disorder (DCD) is more commonly used. The term DCD describes a more generalised motor co-ordination difficulty which shows a marked difference between the levels of skills that would be expected for age or level of intelligence and significantly interferes with academic or activities of daily living. This is not caused by another medical condition (for example cerebral palsy) and is not part of a pattern of general learning difficulties. The term dyspraxia describes an immaturity in the development of the organisation and sequencing of movements. It can also affect speech, perception and thought. Not all people with DCD have dyspraxia, but often the words are used interchangeably. Difficulties associated with both DCD and dyspr
