Motor Planning (Praxis)
The brain's ability to figure out, plan and carry out an unfamiliar physical task.
Motor planning — also called praxis — is the three-step process by which the brain conceives of an action ("I want to climb onto the swing"), organises a sequence of movements, and then executes them smoothly. It is most obvious when a task is new: pouring from a jug for the first time, learning a new dance step, or copying a shape you have never drawn. Children with dyspraxia (developmental coordination disorder) have adequate muscle strength but struggle to plan novel movements — they look clumsy, take unusual routes around obstacles, or give up when a task is unfamiliar. OT intervention builds motor planning through graded novel challenges, not just repetition of familiar movements.
Related OT services
Developmental Coordination Disorder
DCD affects 5–6% of school-aged children. They trip often, struggle with handwriting, and avoid sports. It is not laziness. Occupational therapy builds the motor planning skills your child needs. Search Malaysia's #1 dedicated OT directory for DCD-experienced therapists across all 16 states.
Paediatric Occupational Therapy
Search Malaysia's #1 dedicated paediatric OT directory covering all 13 states and 3 federal territories. Parents match with qualified therapists fast, so your child starts improving sooner.