From the ANM archive · Based on an original ANM Instagram post: 10 August 2026
Work should not become a daily test of coordination, pace or masking. Practical support starts with asking what will make the job workable.
Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD), sometimes called dyspraxia, affects movement and coordination. The impact is different for each person. At work, some tasks may take more planning or energy than colleagues realise: using particular tools, handwriting, organising materials, moving quickly between spaces or keeping pace with several steps at once.
Start with the job, not an assumption
People should not have to disclose a diagnosis to be treated with respect. A useful conversation is private, led by the person where possible, and focused on barriers in the work rather than labels.
Practical ways a team can help
- give clear written priorities and break complex tasks into manageable steps
- allow time to prepare rather than rewarding speed for its own sake
- offer accessible ways to record, plan or demonstrate work
- review tools, layout and routine with the person who uses them
- keep support confidential and avoid making someone explain themselves repeatedly
Neuroinclusive practice is ordinary good management
Clarity, flexibility and respect help more people than the person who first asks for them. The aim is not special treatment. It is a workplace where people can contribute without having to hide the effort that access takes.
Further reading: NHS guidance on support for DCD · View the original ANM Instagram post · Browse the ANM Bites archive
Educational information only; it is not individual medical, legal or employment advice.
