Telling your boss, a friend or a date that you’re dyspraxic can feel like a big deal. You never HAVE to, but sharing can open the door to support and understanding.
It’s your choice
Whether to tell people about dyspraxia is one of the most personal decisions there is. Nobody else gets to decide it for you, and you can make a different choice in different parts of your life.
You never have to tell anyone. But sharing can open the door to support and understanding.
You decide who knows, when, and how much.
There’s no wrong answer. Just what’s right for you.
To share or not
There are good reasons on both sides, and most people weigh them up more than once. Neither choice is braver or more honest than the other.
| Why people share | Why people don’t |
|---|---|
| To get support and adjustments. | Worried about being judged. |
| So mistakes aren’t misread. | Past bad experiences. |
| To feel more like themselves. | Not needing to, right now. |
Telling your boss
Work is where the decision carries the most weight, because it can open the door to practical support. If you do decide to tell an employer, a little preparation makes the conversation easier.
- Pick your timing: Interview, first week, or when you need support.
- Lead with what helps: “I work best with written instructions.”
- Put it in writing: A short email keeps a record.
- Know your rights: Dyspraxia can count as a disability.
Good to know: In the UK, the Equality Act 2010 may protect you, and Access to Work may help fund support. Check what applies to you.
Easy scripts
Finding the words is often the hardest part. You don’t need a speech. A single calm sentence is usually enough, and you can adapt it to whoever you’re talking to.
- To a friend: “I’m dyspraxic, so I’m clumsy. Nothing personal!”
- To a manager: “Written steps help me do my best work.”
- To a date: “Fair warning: I might knock something over.”
- To anyone: “It affects how my brain plans movement.”
Handy to have
If you’d like to be prepared, it helps to have a few things ready before the conversation. They save you from having to explain everything from scratch each time.
- A short explainer: What it means for you
- A list of what helps: Ready to share
- A Sunflower lanyard: Optional, when out
- A trusted link: For the curious
- A buddy: Someone in your corner
How to respond
And if you’re on the other side of the conversation, how you respond matters enormously. Someone telling you they’re dyspraxic is trusting you with something they may have hidden for years.
- Listen: Don’t jump in with advice.
- Thank them: It took trust to share.
- Ask what helps: Don’t guess.
- Keep it private: It’s their story.
- Skip the jokes: No “we’re all a bit clumsy.”
- Follow through: Actually make the changes.
Wrapping up
Your diagnosis is your story. Share it when, and if, it feels right.
You can tell everyone, no one, or just the people who need to know. You can also change your mind later. What matters is that the decision is yours, made in your own time.
Next in the series: Why Is Dyspraxia So Exhausting?
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.