Core problems involve difficulties in planning and carrying out complex, sequenced actions. In motor co-ordination, this shows in clumsiness, difficulties with catching a ball or balancing, tying shoelaces or doing up buttons. In addition, children with dyspraxia usually have poor handwriting and problems with written expression, and other features of dyslexia are often present, such as poor spelling and difficulties with reading itself.

Difficulties with organisation, attention and concentration, as in ADHD, are very common. Dyspraxia is also associated with poor working memory for symbolic material, both visual and auditory, and often with difficulties involving mood and behaviour, such as impulsivity or temper tantrums. These children can be hypersensitive to touch, smells and sounds, and they may prefer repetitive or familiar activities, because they can find novel situations very stressful.