Dyspraxia Reasonable Adjustments Guide

Create an Inclusive Workplace for Applicants and Employees with Dyspraxia

Supporting someone with dyspraxia, also known clinically as Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD), during recruitment or at work can involve a wide range of considerations, and knowing what reasonable adjustments may help is not always straightforward.

This practical Dyspraxia Reasonable Adjustments Guide helps employees, employers, managers and HR professionals better understand how dyspraxia may affect movement, coordination and day-to-day tasks at work, with practical examples of adjustments and support that can be considered around the individual’s needs.

Whether you are preparing for a conversation about reasonable adjustments, recruiting someone with dyspraxia, supporting an employee at work or helping them return following a period of absence, the guide provides a useful starting point without having to research everything from scratch.

Understanding Dyspraxia at Work

Dyspraxia, also known as Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD), can affect movement and coordination, including the planning and execution of fine and gross motor tasks. Its impact can vary considerably from person to person.

The guide provides an overview of dyspraxia alongside examples of potential workplace barriers and tailored support. It considers how movement, coordination, practical tasks, planning and working arrangements may affect someone at work, as well as practical support that may help.

This provides useful context for understanding how dyspraxia may affect someone at work before considering what reasonable adjustments could be appropriate for the individual.

Reasonable Adjustments Throughout Employment

The guide considers reasonable adjustments at three important stages, recognising that the support someone needs may vary depending on their circumstances.

During recruitment
Practical considerations include reviewing how practical or written assessments are carried out, allowing additional time where appropriate, providing clear information and discussing any individual support that may help the applicant participate fully.

At work
The guide explores areas such as workplace modifications, task modification, supportive technology, flexible working arrangements, clear instructions, colleague awareness and other practical ways to reduce workplace barriers.

Returning from absence
Considerations include reviewing existing adjustments, considering any changes to tasks or the working environment, re-establishing useful support and reviewing arrangements as the individual settles back into their role.

Supporting the Individual, Not Just the Condition

No two people will experience dyspraxia in exactly the same way. The aspects of movement, coordination or day-to-day work someone finds difficult, the impact on their role and the adjustments that may help them can vary considerably.

The guide encourages an individual approach by helping you:

• Consider the person’s role, circumstances and specific workplace barriers
• Explore adjustments and support that could help address their individual needs and workplace barriers
• Use the suggestions as a starting point for conversations rather than a fixed checklist
• Review support as circumstances or needs change
• Record relevant points and considerations using the included editable notes page

The notes page includes separate areas for during recruitment, at work and return from absence, helping you keep useful information organised for future reference.

The rest of the guide is provided as practical reference information and can be viewed on a computer or mobile device or printed for easy reference.

How the Guide Is Structured

The guide takes you from understanding dyspraxia and potential workplace barriers through to considering practical reasonable adjustments during recruitment, at work and when returning from absence, with an editable notes page for recording key points.

• Condition description
• Common symptoms, workplace barriers and tailored support
• Did You Know? fact page
• Reasonable adjustments during recruitment
• Reasonable adjustments at work
• Reasonable adjustments when returning from absence
• Editable notes page

Need Broader Reasonable Adjustments Support?

Our Reasonable Adjustments Bundles bring together practical resources to help you support a wider range of individual needs and put a more consistent approach to reasonable adjustments in place across your workplace.