Top on inside out (found out at lunchtime). Toothpaste on the one clean shirt. Buttons done up one off, all the way down.
Dressing and grooming use a LOT of fine motor skills, and with dyspraxia that means mornings can take twice the time and energy.
The daily fiddle
Getting dressed and groomed is a long chain of small, precise hand movements, usually done under time pressure and before you’re fully awake. It’s hard to design a task less suited to dyspraxia.
- Buttons: Tiny, fiddly, always in a rush.
- Laces: Double knots that still come undone.
- Shaving: Angles, pressure, and nicks.
- Make-up: Eyeliner wings that never match.
- Hair: Brushing the back, tying it up.
- Teeth: Reaching every tooth, evenly.
Morning chaos
Most dyspraxic adults have a collection of these stories. They’re funny in hindsight and frustrating in the moment, especially when they happen on the way to something important.
- Top on inside out: Discovered at lunchtime.
- Toothpaste on your shirt: Always the clean one.
- Buttons done up wrong: One off, all the way down.
- Late, again: Getting ready took twice as long.
Make it simpler
The easiest fix is often to change what you’re wearing or using, rather than trying to get better at the fiddly version. Nobody else will notice the difference, and you’ll get minutes back every morning.
| Instead of | Try |
|---|---|
| Tiny shirt buttons. | Polo shirts, pull-ons, or magnetic buttons. |
| Tying laces. | Elastic laces, slip-ons, or velcro. |
| A manual razor. | An electric razor or trimmer. |
Handy helpers
A few inexpensive tools can take the precision out of everyday grooming. Each one swaps a movement that needs fine control for one that doesn’t.
- Electric toothbrush: Built-in timer
- Pump bottles: No fiddly lids
- A low-effort haircut: Wash and go
- Pull-on clothes: Stretchy wins
- Sit down to groom: Steadier hands
- Lay clothes out: The night before
Easier mornings
Once the kit is sorted, routine does the rest. The more your morning runs in the same order, the more of it your brain can hand over to habit, which is exactly what dyspraxia makes difficult to begin with.
- Same order, every day: Routine turns steps into autopilot.
- Build in buffer time: Rushing makes everything harder.
- A capsule wardrobe: Fewer choices, easier combos.
- A mirror by the door: Catch the inside-out top in time.
Why it matters
This might all sound like a lot of thought for something as ordinary as getting dressed. That’s the point. When ordinary things take extra effort, making them easier isn’t indulgent. It’s sensible.
When getting ready takes double the effort, you start the day already tired.
Needing a simpler routine isn’t lazy. It’s energy management.
Save your energy for the things that matter to you.
Wrapping up
Stretchy jeans and slip-ons are valid life choices. Getting out the door is the win.
How you get ready is nobody’s business but yours. If a simpler wardrobe and an electric toothbrush mean you leave the house calm instead of flustered, that’s a better start to the day than any amount of struggling with buttons.
Next in the series: Dyspraxia, Time and Organisation
This post is for general information and isn’t medical advice or a diagnosis. If it resonates, speak to your GP or an occupational therapist.