The question of whether Dyspraxia is a form of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is common, but they are two separate neurodevelopmental conditions. Both conditions originate in the brain and affect how an individual processes information and interacts with the world, yet they are defined by distinct primary challenges. Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD), often called Dyspraxia, centers on difficulties with motor coordination and motor planning. Autism Spectrum Disorder, in contrast, is defined by differences in social communication and the presence of restricted or repetitive patterns of behavior. They frequently occur together, which is the main reason for the public confusion regarding their relationship.
Understanding Dyspraxia (Developmental Coordination Disorder)
Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD), or Dyspraxia, is a neurological condition that impairs the learning and execution of coordinated motor skills. This impairment is substantially below what is expected for the person’s age and is not due to an underlying medical condition or an intellectual disability. The condition involves a disruption in how the brain sends signals to the body, making it difficult to plan and carry out movements smoothly.
Symptoms are categorized into difficulties with gross motor skills and fine motor skills. Gross motor difficulties manifest as general clumsiness, frequent tripping or falling, and challenges with activities requiring balance, such as hopping, jumping, or catching a ball. Children with DCD often struggle to participate in playground activities or sports.
Fine motor challenges affect tasks requiring precise control of small muscles, particularly in the hands. Examples include difficulty with handwriting, using utensils, manipulating small objects, or performing self-care tasks like tying shoelaces and buttoning a shirt. The core issue in DCD is motor planning, where the brain has trouble figuring out the sequence of steps needed to perform a movement. This difficulty with sequencing and timing makes seemingly simple tasks take much longer to learn and execute.
Understanding Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition defined by persistent deficits in two core areas: social communication and social interaction, and restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior, interests, or activities. The social communication domain involves differences in social-emotional reciprocity, including struggling with the back-and-forth nature of conversation or sharing emotions. Individuals with ASD often have differences in nonverbal communicative behaviors used for social interaction. This includes difficulty making or maintaining eye contact, using or understanding body language, and interpreting facial expressions.
The second core domain involves exhibiting restricted, repetitive behaviors, interests, or activities (RRBs). At least two types of RRBs must be present for a diagnosis. These behaviors can include stereotyped or repetitive motor movements, often called “stimming,” such as hand-flapping or spinning objects. A strong insistence on sameness and an inflexible adherence to routines are common features, where small changes can cause significant distress.
Restricted interests are highly fixated and intense in their focus. Many individuals with ASD experience hyper- or hypo-reactivity to sensory input, meaning they may be overly sensitive or under-sensitive to sounds, textures, lights, or pain. These core features must be present from the early developmental period to meet the diagnostic criteria for ASD.
Why the Confusion: Comorbidity and Core Differences
The confusion between Dyspraxia and Autism arises because they are highly comorbid, meaning they often occur in the same person. Research indicates a significant overlap, with estimates showing that 80% to 90% of children with ASD also meet the diagnostic criteria for DCD. Conversely, a notable percentage of individuals diagnosed with DCD also exhibit traits of ASD. While they coexist, they remain distinct conditions requiring separate diagnoses.
This high rate of co-occurrence is compounded because both conditions share several non-core features that affect daily functioning. Both groups commonly experience challenges with executive functions, which are the cognitive skills that govern organization, planning, time management, and working memory. Sensory processing difficulties, such as being over-responsive or under-responsive to sensory stimuli, are also observed in both individuals with DCD and those with ASD.
Despite these overlaps, the fundamental difference lies in the primary diagnostic criteria for each condition. Autism is defined by core impairments in social communication and repetitive behaviors. DCD, however, is defined by a substantial difficulty in acquiring and executing coordinated motor skills that interfere with daily life. When both diagnoses are present, it signifies that the individual meets the independent criteria for a primary motor disorder and a primary social communication and behavioral disorder. While motor difficulties are a common symptom in ASD, they are the defining characteristic of DCD, confirming they are two separate diagnoses that often travel together.