Symptom Tests for Children

[Self-Test] Dyspraxia Symptoms in Children

Could your child’s clumsiness or physical awkwardness at home and school be a sign of the motor disorder dyspraxia? Take this symptom test and share the with your child’s doctor for evaluation.

Dyspraxia is a neurological disorder that impacts fine and/or gross motor skills. Children with dyspraxia appear awkward when moving their whole bodies, or use too much or too little force. When a child has dyspraxia, he often can’t imitate others, often mixes up the steps in a sequence, and can’t come up with new ideas during play.

Dyspraxia is sometimes called “clumsy child syndrome” and is often considered ubiquitous with Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD), a unique but very similar diagnosis also associated with poor eye-hand coordination, posture, and balance. Up to 50 percent of children with DCD, which is more common in boys than girls, meet the diagnostic criteria for ADHD.

Symptoms of dyspraxia show up at home and in the classroom. Coordination difficulties affect aspects of daily life like brushing teeth, getting dressed, and doing laundry. Social skills, academic performance, and physical independence can all be influenced by dyspraxia. An overdue diagnosis of dyspraxia can greatly affect the self-confidence and achievement of a child, even if he or she has an average or above-average IQ.

Use this free dyspraxia symptom test to determine whether your child might be showing signs consistent with dyspraxia. Any positive results should be discussed with your child’s school or pediatrician.

Based on information from the Dyspraxia Foundation USA. This dyspraxia symptom test is not intended to diagnose or to replace the care of an educational professional. Only a trained healthcare or education professional can make a diagnosis. This self-test is for personal use only.

Does your child avoid construction toys such as puzzles and LEGOs?

Does your child have difficulty completing tasks, staying focused, and staying organized?

As a baby, did your child demonstrate repetitive behaviors such as head banging or rolling?

Have you noticed speech delays in your child? Did they not start speaking until around the age of 3?

Is your child irritable and easily distressed? Do they have outbursts of uncontrolled behavior?

Does your child prefer adult company? Have you noticed that they seem isolated from their peers?

Does your child have trouble navigating uneven surfaces and/or stairs?

Does your child demonstrate a limited response to verbal instructions, such a slower response time and problems with comprehension?

Does your child struggle with fine motor skills when handwriting, using scissors and eating utensils, tying shoes, or buttoning clothes?

Does your child have difficulty peddling and riding a bike?

Is your child “literal,” misunderstanding idioms, metaphors, and sarcasm?

Did you struggle to toilet train your child as a toddler?

Does your child struggle to sit still? Do they tap their hands or feet?

Is your child clumsy, knocking things over or tripping over nothing?

Does your child have sleep problems? Is it difficult to maintain a nighttime routine?


(Optional) Would you like to receive your dyspraxia symptom test results — plus more helpful resources — via email from ADDitude?

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