Why Motor Test Scores Alone Don’t Tell the Whole Story About Dyspraxia (DCD)
When a child is being assessed for dyspraxia (also known as Developmental Coordination Disorder, or DCD), one of the most commonly used tests is the Movement Assessment Battery for Children (M-ABC-2). This test looks at motor skills such as balance, ball skills, and manual dexterity.
But here’s the important part: international guidelines (Blank et al., 2019) are very clear that the M-ABC should never be the only tool used to decide whether or not a child has DCD.
Unfortunately, in practice, this does happen. A child might score “within the average range” (for example, above the 15th percentile), and parents are told, “Your child does not have dyspraxia.” This can be very misleading.
Why test scores don’t tell the full story
Dyspraxia is much more complex than a set of motor test scores. It is a condition that affects how children plan, coordinate, and carry out everyday activities.
- In a quiet clinic room, a child might manage to balance on one leg, walk along a line, or catch a ball when given plenty of time.
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- But in the real world at home, school, on the playground, or in PE class, these same skills may fall apart. There are more distractions, time pressures, and physical demands are significant.
Many Dyspraxic children also experience fatigue, difficulty with timing (taking longer to complete daily activities), bumping into things regularly, or becoming anxious when they feel “clumsy” compared to their peers. They may experience greater muscle and joint pain. They are disorganised with their belongings, slow to gain independence with age-appropriate activities, and struggle to manage their time. These challenges can affect independence, confidence, friendships, and learning.
What parents need to know
Here are the key points from the international recommendations that can guide you if your child is being assessed:
- One test is not enough. The M-ABC-2 is useful, but it can miss at least 10% of children who do have significant motor difficulties.
- Look at the bigger picture. A proper assessment must also include your child’s developmental history, how difficulties affect everyday life (e.g., dressing, handwriting, playground games, engagement in daily chores such as making a sandwich, managing their belongings, and getting ready for activities), and observations from both home and school.
- Ask for a second opinion if needed. If your child is clearly struggling but their test scores don’t reflect this, another standardised test (like the BOT-2) or an assessment by a different professional may be recommended.
- Diagnosis requires more than motor testing. According to the guidelines, four things must be considered together:
- Motor skills are below what’s expected for their age.
- These difficulties interfere with daily life, school, or play.
- The problems aren’t better explained by another condition.
- The difficulties started in childhood (even if recognised later).
What this means for your child
If your child struggles with coordination, don’t be discouraged by “normal” test results alone. Trust your observations; you see your child in the real world, where motor skills must be used in busy, demanding environments. You can see the anxiety caused by trying to manage home and school tasks and activities.
👉 A thorough diagnosis should combine test scores with expert clinical judgement, reports from parents and teachers, and an understanding of how your child functions on a day-to-day basis.
The bottom line: dyspraxia cannot be ruled out based on one test score.
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