Some children can't pour a glass of juice without spilling it, can't play with other children without slamming into them and keep you constantly on guard. Is it really a question of two left feet, or has the child got a neurological problem?

Dyspraxia affects one in 12 children, but so few people know about it that it really is a hidden handicap. Dyspraxia involves a difficulty carrying out tasks that require physical co-ordination. Everything is harder for these children to do - from riding a bike to handwriting and using cutlery. Dyspraxia sits along a spectrum of learning problems that includes Attention Deficit Disorder, milder forms of autism and Asperger's Syndrome, and may be present in company with these.

Children with dyspraxia tend, as babies, to roll, crawl and walk later than other children. Climbing and puzzles are problems for them. They may move their head from side to side, instead of moving their eyes. They have difficulty learning new skills instinctively and may be slow to develop speech.

Older children with dyspraxia have difficulty dressing and tying shoelaces, have poor balance; reading skills and handwriting; have trouble remembering instructions and copying from the blackboard and may have difficulty with speech and the ability to express themselves.

The Dyspraxia Association is holding a conference at St Mary's NS, Moyglare Road, Maynooth, Co Kildare this Saturday. Speakers will include Dr Joe McMenamin, paediatric neurologist at Our Lady's Hospital for Sick Children, Crumlin; Jean Browne, educational psychologist with Enable Ireland and Valerie Cribben, occupational therapist at the Lucena Clinic in Dublin.

The fee is €35 for members, €45 for non-members