The majority of children made substantial improvements during the intervention period

Professor David Sugden study leader

Dyspraxic children often perform poorly at school.

While physiotherapists are often used to help them, these are in short supply and waiting lists are lengthy.

However, charity Action Research has funded a project which teaches parents and teachers how to perform basic treatments.

In the study, 31 dyspraxic children were observed as their parents and teachers followed a step-by-step management guide developed by the researchers.

This included three to four sessions of therapy a week.

Most improved

After the 18-month study period, all but four had shown marked improvements - in fact, they had moved outside the boundaries of what is normally diagnosed as dyspraxia.

Professor David Sugden, from Leeds University, led the study and said: "The majority of children made substantial improvements during the intervention period.

"The major implication is that by using a task-orientated approach, both parents and teachers with support are able to provide effective intervention for children with dyspraxia."

The four who did not respond could be earmarked for specialist attention, he said, saving valuable resources which would normally be spread across the whole group.

A more detailed follow-up study is to follow, and Professor Sugden is hopeful that other teams will try his approach.