Understanding Dyspraxia and how sports can help
01 July 2026
Last reviewed: 01 July 2026
Why dyspraxia is often misunderstood
Around one in 10 people in the UK have dyspraxia, also known as DCD; a condition that makes it harder to perform certain actions, such as catching balls, writing, and using cutlery.
But the condition remains widely misunderstood, with children and adults with dyspraxia sometimes unfairly labelled clumsy, lazy, or careless.
This can lead to them avoiding sports and other hobbies they fear will highlight their difficulties, which is a shame as physical activity is one of the best ways to overcome the symptoms of the condition.
Here’s what you need to know.
What is dyspraxia?
Dyspraxia - clinical term Developmental coordination disorder (DCD) - is a lifelong, neurodevelopmental condition that affects motor coordination, movement, balance, and planning.
Beginning in childhood, the condition is characterised by a significant delay in mastering both gross and fine motor skills due to the way messages are transmitted from the brain to the other parts of the body.
It is often found in people with other neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism and ADHD and can cause difficulty with:
- Gross motor skills - walking, running, climbing stairs, balancing
- Fine motor skills - writing, typing, using cutlery, tying laces
- Organisation & planning - time management, following instructions
- Spatial awareness - judging distances, bumping into things
Know your numbers
Around 50% of people who are diagnosed with ADHD also have dyspraxia.
What are the symptoms of dyspraxia?
Dyspraxia is often diagnosed in childhood (from the age of five), when symptoms can include delayed developmental milestones such as crawling, walking, and dressing.
Drawing, writing, and performance in activities such as jumping and running are also usually behind what is expected for the age of the child.
Symptoms at this stage can include:
- Slowness
- Frequent tripping and bruising
- Poor handwriting
- Difficulties with self-care tasks
- Regularly losing belongings
- Being unable to follow a set of instructions
In adulthood, symptoms are more likely to include:
- Difficulty learning new motor skills
- Struggling to perform in a new or busy environment
- Poor organisation and time management skills
- Missed deadlines and appointments
- Slow handwriting speed
- Fatigue due to the effort of performing physical movements correctly
As people with dyspraxia sometimes have difficulty moderating the amount of sensory information their body is sending them, they may also be prone to sensory overload and panic attacks.
However, most people with dyspraxia lead happy, fulfilling lives - especially once they have identified coping strategies that help them to manage their symptoms.
Did you know?
Despite often struggling to remember instructions and short-term goals, many dyspraxic people have excellent long-term memories and a great eye for detail. The condition also fosters a determined and resilient nature.
What causes dyspraxia?
Doing co-ordinated movements is a complex process that involves many different nerves and parts of the brain. Any disconnect in this process can therefore lead to difficulties with movement and coordination.
Doctors do not know exactly why some people are affected by this and others are not.
However, risk factors that can increase the likelihood of developing DCD include:
- Being born prematurely (before 37 weeks)
- Having a low birth weight
- A family history of dyspraxia
- Alcohol/drug intake during pregnancy
How can dyspraxia be treated?
There's no cure for dyspraxia, but certain therapies can help.
The aim of these therapies, which can include occupational therapy and psychology, is to teach individuals with dyspraxia coping strategies such as breaking down difficult movements into smaller parts or using special grips that make pens and pencils easier to hold.
Physical activities that promote muscle development and control are also highly beneficial for people with dyspraxia.
Recommended activities for young dyspraxic children therefore include:
- Dancing
- Walking on uneven surfaces such as cushions or soft sand
- Ten pin bowling
- Running up and down stairs
- Trampolining
And as people with dyspraxia get older, playing a range of sports can be very helpful. Ball games, for example, are great for improving hand-eye coordination.
Good to know
Having dyspraxia does not mean you cannot succeed in sports - even at a high level. England rugby star Ellis Genge, for example, was diagnosed with dyspraxia at age 14.
Dyspraxia and sport - 3 benefits
- Improves coordination and motor skills - when you practise movements regularly, the brain creates new motor connections that gradually compensate for the movement planning difficulties characteristic of dyspraxia.
- Boosts self-confidence and self-esteem - learning to ride a bike, for example, can be challenging for a dyspraxic person, but persevering makes them realise they are capable of learning new things.
- Reduces stress and anxiety - physical activity stimulates the release of endorphins, hormones that make us feel good, which can improve mood and reduce anxiety symptoms. For dyspraxic children who fear being unable to manage motor activities, a supportive sporting environment can make all the difference.
Which sports suit people with dyspraxia?
People with dyspraxia often find team sports stressful. At least initially, many therefore prefer individual sports such as:
- Martial Arts, such as taekwondo and judo, which help develop strength, endurance, confidence, agility, and focus
- Tennis, in which the repetitive movements help improve motor planning (a skill people with dyspraxia can struggle with)
- Swimming, which helps improve coordination and muscle strength and can be done individually
- Cycling, which develops eye-environment coordination and spatial anticipation - especially when done outdoors
- Running, which supports coordination and balance
- Gymnastics, which help strengthen flexibility and coordination
Did you know?
Some team sports, such as volleyball, can be simplified and specially adapted to make them more accessible to people with dyspraxia.
Think you or your child has dyspraxia?
If your suspect you are living with dyspraxia, or you're concerned about your child's health or development, talk to your GP, or speak to a nurse or special educational needs co-ordinator (SENCO) at your child's school.
They can then refer you to an occupational therapist or a paediatrician who can provide an assessment and identify how best to manage the symptoms.
About the author
Jessica Bown is a freelance writer and journalist.
