Learning Difficulties
Dyspraxia / DCD
Support motor coordination and organisation so that physical difficulties don't get in the way of learning and participation.
Whole-class strategies
- Seat the pupil where they have space, a clear view of the board, and room to move without knocking things.
- Give extra time for tasks involving handwriting, cutting, or equipment.
- Break multi-step instructions into a written or pictorial checklist.
- Use a consistent, predictable classroom layout so pupils can navigate easily.
Handwriting and fine motor
- Offer pencil grips, sloped writing boards and a choice of pen or pencil.
- Accept typing, voice-to-text or scribing for longer pieces of work.
- Reduce the amount of copying from the board; provide printed handouts instead.
- Focus on legibility and content rather than neat presentation.
Organisation and PE
- Use checklists and labelled trays to help pupils organise equipment and belongings.
- Pre-teach PE skills in small steps and pair with a supportive partner.
- Give clear, sequenced instructions and demonstrate slowly.
- Allow extra time for changing and moving between activities.
Do
- Allow more time and reduce copying.
- Praise effort in physical tasks, however small the progress.
- Build in movement and short breaks.
Avoid
- Don't rush pupils during physical or writing tasks.
- Don't comment on messy work or clumsiness in front of peers.
- Don't assume laziness when a pupil avoids a task.