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  Dyspraxia is a developmental disorder of the praxis (the planning of movement to achieve a goal). Children with dyspraxia struggle to learn new skills and/or carry out skills already learned. Physical, intellectual, emotional, social, language, and sensory development are affected by dyspraxia. Different children are affected differently by this disorder. Many cases of dyspraxia go undetected or untreated causing a lifetime of difficulties for the person. However, there are treatments which have been successful for children with dyspraxia.
  
  

Occupational Therapy

• Occupational therapy is one treatment option for children with dyspraxia. It is especially useful for children affected physically by dyspraxia. Occupational therapists use a "top down" approach to treating children. This approach is implemented by observing children working at school, playing, and how they carry out everyday tasks. As the therapists observe, they help the child with areas in which they struggle.
  
  

Speech and Language Therapy

• Many children with dyspraxia struggle with speech. Dyspraxia can make it difficult for the child to move his mouth properly to form words. Speech and language therapy has been helpful for these children. Speech therapists can listen to the child to see where they are having trouble speaking. The therapist will then devise a plan to help the child speak to their full potential.
  
  

Perceptual Motor Training

• Another treatment that may be advantageous to a child with dyspraxia is perceptual motor training. This treatment is a set of tasks that focus on developing language, visual, movement, and auditory skills. This is a progressive treatment which allows the child to build these skills gradually. The tasks are designed to challenge the child, but not to the point of frustration. Frustration would be counterproductive. Perceptual motor training is effective for children affected in any or all areas by dyspraxia.