Key Points:
- Dyspraxia and autism are different neurodevelopmental conditions, though they can sometimes co-occur.
- Autism affects communication and social behavior, while dyspraxia impacts motor coordination and physical planning.
- Understanding the differences helps guide therapy decisions, especially when considering behavior-focused approaches like ABA.
Many parents notice that their child has difficulty with movement, coordination, or communicating with others—but figuring out the root cause can be confusing. One common comparison parents explore is dyspraxia vs autism, but while the two conditions can share some overlapping features, they are very different in terms of symptoms, diagnosis, and interventions.
Research indicates that approximately 6% of school-aged children have dyspraxia. A child with dyspraxia might have trouble tying their shoes, catching a ball, or using utensils. Meanwhile, a child with autism may avoid eye contact, struggle with social interaction, or engage in repetitive behaviors.
Understanding these distinctions is essential in creating an effective and personalized care plan. In this article, we’ll break down how the two differ from one another and how they can sometimes show similar symptoms.
Dyspraxia vs Autism: What’s the Difference?
Dyspraxia is a motor coordination disorder, while autism is a social-communication and behavioral disorder. Although children with autism may also have motor difficulties, the core traits of each condition are different. Dyspraxia affects physical actions and planning movements, whereas autism affects how a person processes language, interacts socially, and experiences the world.
Autism is a spectrum condition and includes a wide range of traits, such as repetitive behaviors, restricted interests, and sensory sensitivities. Dyspraxia, also called Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD), focuses more specifically on fine and gross motor skills, making everyday tasks physically challenging.
What Is Dyspraxia?
Dyspraxia is a neurological condition that affects movement and coordination. Children with dyspraxia often struggle with motor planning—meaning they know what they want to do but can’t carry it out efficiently. This can lead to challenges in both gross motor skills (like running or jumping) and fine motor skills (like writing or buttoning a shirt).
Some common symptoms of dyspraxia include:
- Delayed milestones in crawling, walking, or jumping
- Clumsiness or frequent falling
- Poor handwriting or difficulty using scissors
- Trouble with balance and spatial awareness
- Struggles with activities that require sequencing (e.g., brushing teeth)
- Difficulty with rhythm or imitation of movements
- Fatigue during physical tasks
While dyspraxia doesn’t directly affect cognitive ability, the frustrations of motor limitations can impact confidence, especially in school settings or social activities.
What Is Autism Spectrum Disorder?
Autism is a complex neurodevelopmental disorder that influences how a child communicates, behaves, and interacts with others. It’s called a “spectrum” because autism symptoms and their severity vary widely. Autism affects more than just social behavior—it can influence how a person experiences the world, processes information, and manages emotions.
The core traits of autism include:
- Delayed or unusual speech and language development
- Limited or absent eye contact
- Difficulty understanding social cues or engaging in two-way conversation
- Repetitive behaviors like hand-flapping or lining up objects
- Sensory sensitivities to sounds, textures, lights, or smells
- Rigid routines and strong resistance to change
- Deep, focused interests in specific topics
Unlike dyspraxia, autism involves broader cognitive and emotional differences that influence multiple areas of functioning, not just motor coordination.
How Are Dyspraxia and Autism Similar?
Even though they are distinct conditions, dyspraxia and autism can appear to overlap, especially in young children. This is where confusion often arises, especially during early developmental screenings.
Shared features may include:
1. Motor difficulties
Children with autism may appear clumsy or struggle with coordination, similar to those with dyspraxia. These motor challenges can impact tasks like handwriting, riding a bike, or participating in physical education at school.
2. Speech and language delays
Both conditions can affect verbal communication, though the root cause differs. In autism, delays often relate to social communication, while in dyspraxia, they may stem from difficulty planning and coordinating the movements required for speech.
3. Sensory issues
Sensory processing difficulties, such as being bothered by textures or sounds, can be present in both. However, children with autism may have more intense or specific sensory aversions that influence behavior and daily routines.
4. Social challenges
Dyspraxia may impact a child’s ability to participate in group play or sports, while autism affects social understanding more broadly.
As a result, children with autism may miss social cues or struggle with reciprocal interaction, whereas children with dyspraxia might want to join in but lack the physical skills to do so.
However, these overlaps don’t mean the two conditions are the same. The motivations behind behaviors and the nature of the challenges vary.
Can a Child Have Both Dyspraxia and Autism?
It is possible for a child to be diagnosed with both autism and dyspraxia. Having both conditions means that a child might struggle with tasks requiring both social understanding and physical coordination. This dual diagnosis can affect multiple areas of daily life, including:
- Motor planning and social interaction
- Routine tasks like getting dressed or writing
- Understanding peers while also being unable to keep up physically
- Managing sensory overload from both environmental and body-awareness triggers
A dual diagnosis often requires a multidisciplinary team to properly evaluate and support the child’s diverse needs. For a closer look at one such challenge, Understanding Habitual Dysphagia and Autism: Causes and Solutions explores how feeding difficulties intersect with autism and what can be done to help.
How Are Dyspraxia and Autism Diagnosed?
Proper diagnosis requires observation, developmental history, and a set of standardized tools. While both conditions involve delays, they require different diagnostic criteria and assessments.
The diagnosis process for dyspraxia includes:
- Evaluations by occupational therapists or pediatricians
- Motor coordination tests (e.g., Movement ABC or BOT-2)
- Ruling out other medical causes (e.g., muscle disorders)
- Assessment of how motor difficulties impact daily functioning
The diagnosis for autism includes:
- Developmental screenings like the M-CHAT
- Diagnostic tools such as ADOS-2 and the Autism Diagnostic Interview (ADI-R)
- Observations of communication, social interaction, and behavior
- Input from parents, teachers, and therapists
Early diagnosis is important in both cases, but especially with autism, where early intervention like ABA can make significant developmental gains.
What Are the Treatment Options for Each Condition?
Treatment for dyspraxia and autism looks different, even though some therapies may overlap. While dyspraxia is often managed through physical and occupational therapy, autism requires broader behavioral support.
When both conditions are present, treatment often involves a coordinated plan that includes multiple types of therapy.
What Should Parents Look for at Home?
Whether your child has been diagnosed or you’re still in the early stages of seeking answers, certain behaviors at home can offer important clues. Paying attention to the patterns of behavior, rather than isolated incidents, can help guide next steps.
Red flags for dyspraxia include:
- Seems more “clumsy” than peers
- Avoids physical games or struggles in PE class
- Difficulty using utensils or writing tools
- Trouble learning new movements (like tying shoes or riding a bike)
Red flags for ASD include
- Doesn’t respond to name
- Repeats the same phrases or gestures
- Shows little interest in peers
- Becomes extremely upset with changes in routine
- Engages in repetitive behaviors (e.g., spinning objects)
If your child shows signs of either condition or both, it’s important to seek a professional evaluation.
Why Understanding the Difference Matters
Knowing whether your child is dealing with autism, dyspraxia, or both helps determine the most effective therapy and support systems. Misdiagnosis or confusion between the two can delay intervention, which can affect school readiness, independence, and confidence.
Here’s how understanding the difference between the two can be beneficial:
Clear therapy goals
Target the right areas, like motor development vs. social communication. Accurate diagnosis helps therapists choose evidence-based strategies that directly address the child’s specific challenges.
School accommodations
Create appropriate IEPs or 504 plans. This ensures that educational goals, classroom modifications, and support services are tailored to both learning and functional needs.
Family support
Helps manage expectations and reduces parental stress. Understanding the diagnosis empowers families to make informed decisions and access the right resources early on.
Child Advocacy
Ensures your child receives services that match their actual needs. A proper diagnosis gives caregivers and professionals the language and documentation needed to fight for effective support in both medical and educational settings.
Early and accurate diagnosis is one of the best ways to set your child up for success.
Support for Autism and Dual Diagnoses Through ABA Therapy
If your child has been diagnosed with autism or shows signs that overlap with dyspraxia, ABA therapy can provide structured, effective support. Actify offers personalized ABA therapy in Maryland, designed to meet the individual needs of each child and family.
ABA therapy focuses on building communication skills, improving behavior, and increasing independence. Whether your child struggles with transitions, communication, or daily routines, Actify’s approach is grounded in evidence-based methods and guided by compassionate professionals.
Reach out to us to learn more about ABA therapy in Maryland and how it can help your child grow with confidence.
