Watching your child face challenges—whether at school, in their friendships, or day-to-day life—can be tough, especially when you’re unsure how best to support them so they can thrive.
For adults who recognise traits of conditions like ADHD or dyspraxia in themselves, the situation can feel equally confusing. These conditions often share overlapping characteristics, making it difficult to know what’s really going on or where to seek help.
Because of this, many people go years without the right support. Some assume their struggles—such as difficulties with organisation, planning ahead, or restlessness—are simply personal quirks or the result of other factors. Others may have been misinformed by things they’ve read online.
So, what exactly are the similarities between ADHD and dyspraxia? And most importantly, how can children and adults access the right support for one—or both—of these conditions?
ADHD and Dyspraxia
Before exploring the traits that ADHD and dyspraxia often share, it’s helpful to first understand what each condition actually means.
What is ADHD?
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects attention, self-control, and activity levels. People with ADHD often experience challenges with focus, impulsivity, and restlessness, though the way symptoms appear can vary from person to person.
Currently, ADHD is recognised in three main subtypes:
- Predominantly inattentive – where difficulties with focus, organisation, and attention to detail are most noticeable.
- Predominantly hyperactive/impulsive – where restlessness, impulsive behaviour, and high energy are the main traits.
- Combined type – where an individual shows significant features of both inattentive and hyperactive/impulsive presentations.
What Does ADHD Look Like in Children and Adults?
ADHD can present differently depending on a person’s age, but the core challenges around attention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity often remain.
🔹 In Children
Children with attention difficulties may find it hard to concentrate on tasks both at school and at home. They might “flit” from one activity to another, avoid homework or reading, and become easily distracted, often needing frequent prompts and reminders.
For those with hyperactivity and impulsivity, sitting still can feel almost impossible. Parents may describe their child as constantly fidgeting, running or climbing excessively, and being especially noisy or difficult to manage in public settings. Waiting their turn or standing in queues can be particularly challenging.
🔹 In Adults
ADHD in adults can look a little different, though many of the same themes are present. Someone with predominantly inattentive traits may find everyday “life admin” overwhelming—missing bills, forgetting appointments, or struggling to stay organised. This can sometimes come across to others as being “chaotic” or unreliable.
Hyperactivity and impulsivity are often less visible in adulthood. Instead of physical restlessness, adults may experience an ongoing sense of internal agitation—like they can’t switch off or “turn down the noise.” They may constantly feel the need to stay busy, which can lead others to view them as intense or “too much.”
What is Dyspraxia?
Dyspraxia—also referred to as Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD)—is a neurodevelopmental condition that primarily affects a person’s fine and gross motor coordination. It can impact both children and adults, often in slightly different ways as they grow.
- Fine motor skills involve the smaller muscles of the hands and wrists, needed for tasks like writing, tying shoelaces, or fastening buttons.
- Gross motor skills rely on the larger muscles of the arms, legs, and body, and are used for activities such as running, climbing, and jumping.
Although research estimates vary, dyspraxia is thought to affect around 5–6% of children.
In childhood, dyspraxia may show up as difficulties with everyday skills—such as handwriting, getting dressed, learning to ride a bike, or keeping up with peers in physical activities. These challenges often persist into adulthood, where they may look a little different. Adults with dyspraxia may find it harder to pick up new motor skills like driving or handling tools, and despite being intelligent and capable, they might underperform at work because of the practical challenges the condition creates.
Similarities and Overlap Between ADHD and Dyspraxia
ADHD and dyspraxia can occur separately, but it’s also common for them to co-exist. In fact, research suggests that around half of individuals with dyspraxia also meet the criteria for ADHD. It’s also possible for someone to experience both conditions alongside others, such as dyslexia or autism.
Because of this overlap, the two conditions can sometimes look very similar. For example, people with dyspraxia may struggle with planning, organisation, staying focused, shifting between tasks, or sitting still for long periods—challenges that also appear in ADHD.
When these difficulties aren’t understood or supported, they can have a big impact on daily life. Children and adults alike may avoid tasks they find challenging, underperform at school or work despite their abilities, or experience stress, burnout, and low self-esteem.
The Importance of Differential Diagnosis
When assessing for ADHD, clinicians don’t just look for a few symptoms—they carefully work through established diagnostic criteria to see whether someone truly meets the threshold for the condition. This is crucial, because while everyone experiences difficulties with focus, organisation, or restlessness at times, not everyone has them to the degree that would warrant a diagnosis.
To receive an ADHD diagnosis, a person must:
- Show enough symptoms across multiple areas of life (e.g., school, work, home, or social settings), not just in one situation.
- Have experienced these challenges since childhood.
- Be significantly impaired by them—for example, struggling to keep up at work, manage school demands, or maintain relationships.
But even if all these boxes seem to be ticked, it doesn’t automatically mean ADHD is the right explanation. Other conditions can cause very similar difficulties, which is where differential diagnosis comes in. This part of the assessment involves carefully ruling out whether another condition—such as anxiety, depression, autism, or a learning disability—might better explain the person’s struggles.
Because ADHD is a lifelong diagnosis, clinicians need to be thorough and cautious in this process. A clear, accurate diagnosis ensures people receive the right support and avoid being mislabelled.
How to Tell if It’s ADHD or Dyspraxia
There isn’t a simple test or “quick check” that can instantly reveal whether someone has ADHD, dyspraxia, both, or neither. Getting the right diagnosis requires a thorough assessment by a qualified clinician who understands the nuances of these conditions.
During an ADHD assessment, clinicians ask detailed questions designed to tease apart which difficulties are specific to ADHD and which may be better explained by something like dyspraxia.
A key difference lies in attention and concentration:
- People with ADHD typically struggle to focus on any task that doesn’t feel interesting or stimulating, regardless of whether it’s physically challenging.
- People with dyspraxia (without ADHD) are usually able to concentrate on tasks they find “easy” or familiar, even if those tasks are repetitive, boring, or mentally effortful—provided motor coordination isn’t a major factor.
For this reason, clinicians pay close attention to the patterns of difficulty. They will explore what kinds of tasks, activities, and situations the person struggles with, and whether these challenges appear consistently across different areas of life. This assessment of pervasiveness helps distinguish ADHD from dyspraxia and ensures an accurate diagnosis.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
👉 How common is dyspraxia with ADHD?
Yes, it’s possible for someone to be diagnosed with both dyspraxia and ADHD. Research suggests that around 50% of individuals with dyspraxia also meet the criteria for ADHD.
That said, the two conditions share a number of overlapping traits—such as difficulties with organisation, planning, or sitting still for long periods. Because of this, a comprehensive assessment is essential to ensure the right diagnosis is made and that any support provided is tailored to the individual’s needs.
👉 What is the difference between dyspraxia and inattentive ADHD?
Predominantly inattentive ADHD is one of the three recognised subtypes of ADHD. It is marked by difficulties with focus, distractibility, and a tendency to “flit” from one activity to another. Some of these challenges—like poor planning or sustaining attention—can resemble the struggles seen in dyspraxia.
However, the core differences lie in what the conditions affect:
- Dyspraxia primarily impacts fine and gross motor skills (e.g., handwriting, coordination, physical tasks).
- ADHD primarily affects attention, impulsivity, and hyperactivity.
👉 Can you have autism, ADHD, and dyspraxia together?
Yes, it’s possible for someone to be diagnosed with all three conditions. Each is unique in the way it presents, but they can also share overlapping features—such as difficulties with organisation, sensory processing, or social communication.
This is why a detailed assessment is so important. It ensures that the right interventions are put in place, tailored to the individual rather than a “one-size-fits-all” approach.
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