Dyspraxia and SEN support
Dyspraxia can affect movement, coordination and learning; we help families navigate SEN support, EHCPs and local authority decisions to secure appropriate educational provision.
Helping children with dyspraxia access the support they need to thrive at school.
Dyspraxia, also known as Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD), can affect a child’s movement, coordination and ability to carry out everyday activities. It can also affect areas of education such as handwriting, organisation and participation in classroom activities. The way dyspraxia affects a child varies from person to person.
Where dyspraxia has a significant impact on a child’s ability to access education, they may require SEN Support and, where their needs cannot be met through ordinarily available provision, an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP).
- Trusted and nationally recognised special educational needs specialists with decades of experience.
- Clear, practical support at every stage, helping families navigate complex SEN processes.
- Extensive experience across all SEN appeals, including EHCPs, school placements, and SEND Tribunal proceedings.
- Transparent and flexible fee structures, including capped fee options where appropriate.
Why might a child with Dyspraxia need an EHCP?
An EHCP may be appropriate where a child’s needs are significant or complex and require provision beyond what their school can ordinarily provide.
For example, a child may need additional support with handwriting, recording work, physical activities, organisation or accessing classroom resources. They may also require specialist teaching, occupational therapy input or substantial adaptations to how they access the curriculum, depending on their individual needs.
An EHCP may be particularly relevant where dyspraxia occurs alongside other learning or developmental needs, or where the SEN Support already in place is not adequately meeting the child’s needs.
EHCP support and benefits for children with Dyspraxia
An EHCP can provide a clear framework for the special educational provision required to meet a child’s individual needs. Depending on the child’s circumstances, this may include:
- Support with handwriting and recording work, where motor difficulties affect written tasks.
- Adapted equipment or resources to help the child access learning.
- Additional adult support where necessary.
- Support with organisation and planning where these difficulties affect learning.
- Adaptations to the curriculum or learning environment where appropriate.
- Specialist professional input, such as occupational therapy, where relevant to the child’s educational needs.
- Support with physical activities and participation where coordination difficulties create barriers.
- Clear outcomes and specified provision based on the child’s individual needs.
- Regular reviews to ensure support remains appropriate as the child develops.
The purpose of an EHCP is to identify the child’s special educational needs and specify the provision required to meet them.
Dyspraxia FAQs
What is dyspraxia?
Dyspraxia, or Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD), is a condition that affects physical coordination and movement. Children with dyspraxia may have difficulties with activities such as handwriting, dressing, using cutlery, sports and other tasks requiring coordination.
Dyspraxia can also affect planning and organising movements, and some children experience difficulties with concentration, memory or organisation. It is not related to intelligence, and children can have a wide range of strengths and abilities.
What other needs do children with dyspraxia typically have?
Dyspraxia can occur alongside other developmental or learning needs. A child may also experience:
- ADHD, affecting attention, impulse control and executive functioning.
- Dyslexia, affecting reading, writing and spelling.
- Dyscalculia, affecting mathematical understanding and numeracy.
- Speech, language and communication difficulties.
- Sensory processing difficulties, which may affect how a child responds to sensory information.
- Working memory or organisational difficulties, which can affect learning and completing tasks.
Where several needs occur together, they may interact and increase the level of educational support a child requires.
What challenges might families face when securing dyspraxia support from the local authority?
Parents may face difficulties where there is disagreement about the extent of their child’s needs or the level of support required. This can include:
- A refusal to carry out an EHC needs assessment.
- A refusal to issue an EHCP because the local authority considers existing SEN Support sufficient.
- Disagreement about the level of specialist support required.
- An EHCP that does not properly reflect the child’s needs.
- Insufficiently specific educational provision.
- Disagreement about the appropriate educational placement.
Where parents believe their child’s needs are not being properly recognised, specialist SEN legal advice can help them understand their options and, where appropriate, challenge the local authority’s decision.
What happens if my child with dyspraxia doesn’t have an EHCP?
A child does not need an EHCP to receive SEN Support. Schools should identify children with SEN, put appropriate support in place and review whether that support is effective.
Depending on their needs, a child with dyspraxia may benefit from adjustments such as additional time, support with handwriting or recording work, adapted equipment, help with organisation or changes to how physical activities are approached.
Where a child’s needs cannot be adequately met through ordinarily available SEN Support, a parent or school can request an EHC needs assessment from the local authority.
How do I apply for an EHCP for a child with dyspraxia?
Parents and carers have the right to request an Education, Health and Care needs assessment from their local authority.
Our SEN solicitors regularly advise families on making assessment requests, gathering evidence and engaging with local authorities throughout the process.
What can I do if I’m unhappy with my child’s EHCP or the LA’s decision regarding the EHCP?
Parents can challenge certain local authority decisions relating to EHC needs assessments and EHCPs. This can include a refusal to assess, a refusal to issue an EHCP or disagreements about the contents of an existing plan, including the provision or educational placement.
Where appropriate, parents can appeal to the First-tier Tribunal (Special Educational Needs and Disability). There are specific procedures and deadlines, so it is important to consider the decision carefully and seek advice promptly.
A solicitor can help you understand the local authority’s decision, identify what needs to be challenged and advise on the evidence required to support your case.
How can solicitors help families and children with dyspraxia?
Solicitors can help families understand their child’s SEN rights and secure educational provision that reflects their individual needs. This may include:
- Advising on EHC needs assessments and EHCP applications.
- Challenging a refusal to assess or issue an EHCP.
- Reviewing whether an EHCP properly reflects the child’s physical, learning and developmental needs.
- Challenging inadequate or insufficient provision.
- Advising on educational placement disputes.
- Supporting parents with SEND Tribunal appeals where appropriate.
Our specialist SEN legal advice can help parents understand their options and ensure their child’s individual needs are properly considered.
Why use our special educational needs solicitors?
- Specialist experience in SEN law: Our solicitors have extensive experience advising families on the full range of special educational needs legal processes. Our expertise ensures you receive clear, accurate advice grounded in a detailed understanding of the law and how local authorities apply it in practice.
- Focused, practical solutions: We take the time to understand your child’s individual needs and circumstances. Our advice is tailored to help you secure the right support, whether that means strengthening an EHCP, challenging inadequate provision, or appealing a local authority decision.
- Supportive and collaborative approach: The SEN process can be overwhelming. We work closely with families, schools, professionals and other advisers to ensure all evidence and communication is aligned and coherent. This collaborative approach helps streamline the process and strengthens your case.
- A leading full-service law firm: Boyes Turner is recognised by Chambers UK and The Legal 500 as a leading law firm. As a full-service firm, our specialist teams can support you with related legal needs where required, including Court of Protection, community care, medical negligence and private wealth, ensuring a cohesive and coordinated approach to your care.
Contact us
If you would like advice about a related matter, please complete the form and one of our SEN specialists will be in touch as soon as possible.
Please note we do not offer legal aid. Read about our fees.
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