Dyspraxia, often referred to as Developmental Coordination Disorder, is underrepresented within neurodiversity research, understanding and support. We know that minority groups are missed, and standardised tests don’t differentiate between neurodivergent motor coordination challenges or appreciate the complexity of this lifelong condition.
Directors Dr Buchan and Calvin Atkinson were inspired by their own experience of dyspraxia and wanted to create a lasting base of knowledge, support, and understanding for the dyspraxia community. By combining the Partnership Model and biopsychosocial approach, the centre is able to off a truly holistic approach to assessment and support.
Our Services
The Dyspraxia Centre of Excellence (DCOE) is a pioneering service dedicated to improving understanding, inclusion, and support for dyspraxic people across all ages.
We recognise that many individuals are multiply neurodivergent, so our approach focuses on coordinated, person-centred care rather than isolated support for individual conditions.
Our multidisciplinary team brings together psychology, physiotherapy, speech and language therapy, and occupational therapy to provide a pioneering and evidence-based service ensuring a truly holistic approach.
Services include:
- Dyspraxia/Developmental Co-ordination Disorder and hypermobility Assessments
- Occupational Therapy Assessment
- Physiotherapy Assessment
- Speech and Language Therapy Assessment
- Psychology Assessment and Therapy
- Cognitive Assessments
- Dyslexia Assessment
- Sensory Assessment
- Reasonable adjustments in education and employment
- Reports to inform Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
- Reports to inform Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA)
- Reports to inform Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
- Access To Work Support
- Post Diagnostic Support for Neurodivergent Individuals
- Coaching
- Support for a range of neurodivergence including Tourette’s and Dyscalculia
Our Team
Multi-Disciplinary Approach
Dr Linda Buchan
Consultant Clinical Psychologist, qualified 1978.
BSc Life Sciences (Distinction), BSc (Hons) Psychology (2.1),
M.Psychol Doctorate of Clinical Psychology.
Chartered psychologist, Associate Fellow of the British Psychological Society.
Dr Buchan has both professional and lived experience of dyspraxia and fiercely advocates for the improved recognition of this condition, particularly noting the historical paucity of research into the cognitive and social elements of dyspraxia. It is Dr Buchan’s commitment to this aim that has brought about the Dyspraxia Centre of Excellence.
She is the author of the book “How Did That Happen? Memoirs of a Dyspraxic Diagnostician” in which she openly shares her various struggles and triumphs as a dyspraxic woman.
Multi-Disciplinary Approach
Jacqui Brett
Highly Specialist Occupational Therapist, Neurodevelopmental Diagnostician & Sensory Integration Practitioner. LLB (Law), BSc (OT), PG Cert Prof Dev (OT), PG Cert (SI), HCPC Registered.
Jacqui has undertaken specialist neurodivergent assessment study including training in ADOS, ADI-R, ACE, ACE+, and by UKAAN, Dyspraxia UK and SASC.
Jacqui is the Clinical Service Lead of the DCOE, developing the assessment pathway, conducting research, providing training and supporting materials for the service.
Jacqui is a professional member of The Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT), International Society of Research and Advocacy for Developmental Coordination Disorder (ISRA-DCD), European Academy of Childhood-onset Disability (EACD), Dyspraxia/DCD Ireland and the Sensory Integration Education (SIE) Alumni Club (ASIP).
She has written for Dyspraxia Magazine 2025 and the RCOT OT News Magazine, 2026. She was involved in the James Lind Alliance (JLA) Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) / Dyspraxia Priority Setting Partnership (PSP), 2025 and nominated as an Advocate for the Dyspraxia Celebration December (DCD) Awards in 2025.
Multi-Disciplinary Approach
Ian Knowles
Advanced Physiotherapy and First Contact Practitioner, Injection therapist and independent prescriber, Neurodevelopmental diagnostician. BSc (Hons), PGCert, MSc, AACP, MCSP, HCPC
Advanced Physiotherapy Practitioner with 24 years of NHS experience spanning specialist Neurology and Neurosurgical / Spinal, Orthopedic, Musculoskeletal, Hydrotherapy, Sports Rehabilitative Medicine, Medico Legal and Primary Care Settings.
First contact practitioner across multiple Primary Care Networks and Neurodevelopmental Diagnostician at Axia ASD, Specialising in the intersection of MSK presentation and Neurodevelopmental conditions including Autism, Hypermobility, Tourette syndrome, ADHD, developmental coordination disorder (DCD) and Dyspraxia.
Contributor to clinical pathway development for hypermobility and DCD/ Dyspraxia services. Independent prescriber with an interest in ADHD Pharmacological treatment and complex musculoskeletal presentations in neurodivergent populations.
Multi-Disciplinary Approach
David Reiser
Highly Specialist Speech and Language Therapist and Neurodevelopmental Diagnostician. BSc (Hons) Speech Therapy and PGDip. Autism
Dave is a member of the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists and the Association of Speech and Language Therapists in Independent Practice.
Dave is an expert in oral and verbal dyspraxia, who highlights the profound benefit of early intervention. Co-founder of Autism Inclusive charity in Crewe and qualified to use ADOS, ADI-R and DISCO autism assessment tools.
Multi-Disciplinary Approach
Zhenya Budarahina
BA in Computational Linguistics, MSc Occupational Therapy, Neurodevelopmental Diagnostician and Occupational Therapist.
Zhenya is a multilingual therapist who has individuality and inclusion at the heart of her practice.
Experienced in the neurodevelopmental field and passionate about social justice, she recently added British sign language (BSL) and Comprehensive Behavioural Intervention for Tics (CBIT) to her repertoire.
Multi-Disciplinary Approach
Katie Montague
Specialist Administrative Support
Katie comes from a Psychology background and previously worked in NHS Talking Therapies and for charity helplines offering psychological and emotional support.
She has completed a number of short courses on Dyspraxia to better understand and support our guests on their journey to receiving a Dyspraxia diagnosis.
Multi-Disciplinary Approach
Ellie Whittaker
Assistant Psychologist, BA in Applied Psychology and Criminology, MSc in Forensic Psychology
Ellie is assisting Dr Buchan in conducting assessments and delivering interventions. She has experience with a range of different client groups, and in each, her passion for ensuring guests’ needs are met was commended.
Ellie has been instrumental in analysing our research data and will be part of our planned service audit.
Multi-Disciplinary Approach
Amy Buchan
Dyspraxia Centre Of Excellence Service Manager
Amy combines her lived experience with a passion for supporting neurodivergent individuals.
Amy was diagnosed with dyspraxia at age twelve and is now our Service Manager at the Dyspraxia Centre of Excellence. As someone who is dyspraxic and a parent to a dyspraxic child, she remains committed to supporting others with genuine understanding and care.
Multi-Disciplinary Approach
Dr Henry Seddon
MBChB (Warwick) BSc(Hons) Anatomical Science MRCP(UK) MRCGP FRACGP(Aus) DFSRH DCH.
Henry has over ten years of specialist experience in first secondary hospital, and then primary community based, healthcare. He has worked in England, Wales and Australia.
Henry’s Family Medicine experience is complimented by his further accreditation in Biological Science, Hospital Medicine, Child/Adolescent Health, Family Planning and Sexual Healthcare. He is the Director and General Practitioner at Redwing Chester Family Doctors.
Dyspraxia Guides
 DCoE Guide 5-12 |
 DCoE Guide 13-19 |
 DCoE Guide 20-39 |
 DCoE Guide 40+ |
Research
You can find our current price list here.
You can watch a thorough introduction into our Dyspraxia Centre of Excellence (DCoE) given by Jacqui Brett at it’s launch below.
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