Motor Planning (Praxis) Therapy
From idea, to plan, to smooth action.
Suitable for ages 3 – 14 years
Overview
Praxis is the ability to imagine a new action, organise the steps and carry it out. Children with dyspraxia know what they want to do but cannot get their body to cooperate, which looks like clumsiness, avoidance or endless repetition of familiar play.
Therapy uses novel obstacle courses, imitation games, sequencing tasks and verbal self-guidance so children learn a reusable strategy: stop, plan, do, check.
Signs your child may need this therapy
- Struggles with new movement tasks though familiar ones are fine
- Difficulty imitating actions, gestures or dance steps
- Repeats the same play routines rather than trying new ones
- Frequently knocks things over or misjudges force
- Takes unusually long to learn cycling or swimming
- Disorganised approach to multi-step activities
Benefits of Motor Planning (Praxis) Therapy
- Faster learning of new physical skills
- Better sequencing of multi-step tasks
- Improved imitation and group participation
- More varied, creative play
- Reduced frustration and task avoidance
- Greater independence in classroom routines
Treatment process
- STEP 1
Detailed OT evaluation
A 60–75 minute session covering developmental history, sensory profile, muscle tone, coordination, hand skills and daily-living independence, using tools such as the Sensory Profile-2 and DASII/Peabody-based motor measures.
- STEP 2
Shared goal setting
We translate findings into 3–5 functional goals that matter at home and school — holding a pencil, sitting through a meal, tolerating a haircut, buttoning a shirt.
- STEP 3
Individual therapy plan
Your child receives a written plan specifying session frequency, activity progression, equipment used and the home programme that supports it.
- STEP 4
Weekly play-based sessions
45-minute one-to-one sessions in our sensory gym and fine-motor studio. Activities are graded so your child is always working just beyond their comfort zone, never past it.
- STEP 5
Parent training
The last 10 minutes of every session are for you: what we did, why, and the two or three things to practise before the next visit.
- STEP 6
Progress review
Formal re-assessment every 12 weeks with a written report, updated goals and a discharge pathway once targets are met.
FAQ
Motor Planning (Praxis) Therapy — your questions answered
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Not sure where to start? Begin with an assessment.
One hour with our team gives you a clear picture of your child's development and a written plan you can act on — whether or not you continue therapy with us.