Understanding Dyspraxia and DCD — An Occupational Therapy Guide
By Ema Bartolo ·
As an Occupational Therapist in Malta, I regularly work with children who have been diagnosed with — or are being assessed for — Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD), commonly known as dyspraxia. It is one of the most common yet least understood childhood conditions, affecting an estimated 5-6% of school-aged children.
If your child seems clumsy, struggles with handwriting, avoids physical activities, or finds everyday tasks like getting dressed unusually difficult, dyspraxia may be the reason.
What Is Dyspraxia / DCD?
Developmental Coordination Disorder is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects motor planning and coordination. Children with DCD have difficulty learning, planning, and carrying out movements — even though there is no underlying neurological or muscular condition to explain it.
It is not about intelligence. Children with DCD are often bright and capable, but their brains struggle to translate intentions into smooth, coordinated actions.
Signs of Dyspraxia in Children
In Early Childhood
- Delayed motor milestones: Late to crawl, walk, or run
- Difficulty with self-care: Struggling to use a spoon, put on shoes, or manage buttons
- Avoidance of physical play: Reluctant to climb, jump, or use playground equipment
- Messy eating: Difficulty coordinating cutlery, frequent spills
In Primary School
- Handwriting difficulties: Slow, messy, or effortful writing
- Poor coordination in PE and sports: Difficulty catching, throwing, kicking, or riding a bike
- Difficulty with scissors: Cutting along lines is a persistent struggle
- Bumping into things: Appearing clumsy, tripping, or misjudging distances
- Organisational challenges: Losing belongings, struggling with multi-step instructions
The Emotional Impact
What often goes unrecognised is the emotional toll. Children who struggle with coordination often experience low self-esteem, frustration, anxiety, and social withdrawal. In Malta’s close-knit school and community settings, feeling different from peers can be particularly hard.
How Occupational Therapy Helps
At WonderKids, our approach includes:
- Motor skill development: Both gross motor skills (balance, coordination, ball skills) and fine motor skills (handwriting, cutting, fastening)
- Cognitive Orientation to Occupational Performance (CO-OP): Teaching children to use cognitive strategies — “goal, plan, do, check” — to solve their own motor challenges
- Sensory Integration therapy: Many children with DCD also have sensory processing differences
- Task adaptation: Modified tasks and environments to help children succeed while building skills
- Building confidence: Each session gives children experiences of success
Supporting Your Child at Home and School
We work closely with parents and schools in Malta to ensure strategies carry over. This includes recommending accommodations such as extra time for written tasks, use of a laptop for older students, or modifications to PE activities.
Your child is not clumsy or lazy — they may just need the right support to unlock their potential. Contact WonderKids on +356 77048650 or at info@wonderkids.mt.