‘It’s not just clumsiness’ study uncovers urgent need for better support and understanding for children with dyspraxia

Dyspraxia or Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects around 2 children in each class of 30 in the UK. It has a range of characteristics including difficulties with jumping, running, catching or kicking a ball, using stairs, getting dressed and keeping still.

Despite the high numbers of children affected, a new national study has revealed severe shortcomings in the recognition, diagnosis and support for young people with the condition.

The Impact of Developmental Coordination Disorder in the UK study was led by York St John University and Oxford Brookes University working in conjunction with Manchester Metropolitan University, the University of Surrey, Cardiff University, Victoria University (Melbourne), The Kids Research Institute Australia and York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals, NHS Foundation Trust. This is the largest national study on DCD and its impact on children and parents.

Based on insights from over 240 parents across the country, the findings paint a stark picture about the breadth of DCD’s impact. This includes long waits for diagnosis, inconsistent or unavailable therapy, and challenges at school, home, and in daily life.

Families describe high emotional stress, limited public understanding, and a lack of coordinated care. Despite recognition at home, many parents report that formal diagnoses do little to improve support, leaving children struggling academically, socially, and psychologically.

Beyond motor difficulties, the condition is linked to elevated risks of anxiety, low physical activity, and social isolation.

The report warns that without urgent intervention and systemic reform, thousands of children will continue to fall through the cracks and miss out on the support they need to thrive.

Key findings include:

• Families face long waits for diagnosis and inconsistent post-diagnosis support.
• Children experience academic difficulties, emotional distress, social exclusion and poor mental health and wellbeing.
• Parents report feeling ignored, stressed, and unsupported.
• A lack of awareness across schools, healthcare, and social services contributes to poor outcomes.

Quotes from parents and carers in the study include:

• “Since his diagnosis he has repeatedly struggled with being different and has on occasion said he doesn’t belong here and doesn’t deserve to be alive. His internal dialogue is set to negative thoughts, and he often berates himself and tells me he is terrible and stupid.”
• “Masking difficulties, his anxiety has started to come out by self-harming, we only discovered this a few weeks ago.”
• “We can’t begin to educate her herself, her peers or her teachers on dyspraxia when we don’t even have confirmation that she has it. It is now 3 and a half years since I first communicated my concerns to the school and despite referrals, jumping through hoops and attending appointments there is still no diagnosis.”
• “Teachers and school staff do not understand Dyspraxia and dismiss my child as being annoying, uncooperative and lacking in ability.”
• “How little is known about dyspraxia and how much of an impact it has on his life, it frightens me.”

Lead author Dr Charikleia Sinani, Senior Lecturer in Physiotherapy at York St John University said:

“DCD isn’t just about ‘clumsiness’. It affects a child’s confidence, mental health, ability to participate, and long-term wellbeing, yet we see most families feel isolated and unsupported.

“This report is a wake-up call to include DCD in the neurodiversity conversation as a serious and common neurodevelopmental condition. There is an urgent need for increased awareness and training in health, education, and social care alongside faster pathways to diagnosis and access to physical and occupational therapy and mental health support.”

Co-lead author Professor Kate Wilmut, Professor of Psychology at Oxford Brookes University said:

“Despite growing public awareness of neurodiversity, DCD remains critically overlooked. We see that many children have no coordinated care and are struggling academically, socially and emotionally.”

Dr Greg Wood, Reader in Sensorimotor Control at Manchester Metropolitan University, said:

“This report lays bare the daily struggles that children with DCD and their families face - not just in managing motor challenges, but in navigating a system that often fails to recognise or support them. The findings show that despite the high prevalence of DCD, too many children are left to cope without the help they urgently need.

“Our research aims to drive better understanding and practical change, but it’s clear that national policy and services must catch up to the reality of these children’s lives.”

Read the full report here

This July, York St John University is hosting a national conference on DCD with the theme ‘bridging the gap between research and lived experience’.

DCD UK Conference | York St John University.