Dyspraxia and ADHD: What to Know

Dyspraxia, also called developmental coordination disorder, mainly affects motor coordination and the organisation of movement. Tasks such as handwriting, tying laces, using tools, judging space, or learning a physical sequence may take extra effort. ADHD affects attention regulation, activity level, impulse control, and executive skills such as starting and organising tasks. [Difficulty Concentrating](/symptoms/difficulty-concentrating/) may occur with ADHD, dyspraxia-related fatigue, anxiety, poor sleep, or another issue.

When both are present, a person may know what to do but struggle to plan it, remember the sequence, keep attention on it, or coordinate their movements. This overlap does not establish a diagnosis by itself.

Write down examples from home, school, work, and social settings, including when difficulties began and what helps. Break tasks into visible steps, use reminders and extra preparation time, reduce distractions, and consider adapted equipment or occupational therapy input for coordination problems. A structured [Mental Health Assessment](/treatments/consultations-and-assessment/mental-health-assessment/) can help explore attention, mood, anxiety, sleep, and other explanations. Support should match the person's strengths and needs.

Arrange an assessment when coordination or attention difficulties interfere with learning, work, relationships, driving, self-care, or safety. Seek prompt help if distress, severe sleep loss, impulsive behaviour, or [Feeling Anxious](/symptoms/feeling-anxious/) is becoming difficult to manage. Sudden loss of coordination, new confusion, weakness, or speech trouble is different from lifelong dyspraxia and needs emergency assessment.

Ask which assessment is appropriate, how information from school or family can help, whether another condition may explain the difficulties, and which accommodations or therapies could support daily functioning.