Definition
The Movement Assessment Battery for Children, second edition (Movement ABC-2) is a standardised assessment of motor skills covering manual dexterity, ball skills, and balance for ages 3 to 16. It is the UK standard for diagnosing developmental coordination disorder (DCD / dyspraxia) and is used by paediatric OTs and physios.
In context for parents
Key checkpoints
- The Movement ABC-2 is the UK standard for diagnosing Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD / dyspraxia).
- Standardised assessment of motor skills for ages 3 to 16; covers manual dexterity, ball skills, and balance.
- Administration time around 20–40 minutes; restricted to qualified users (OT, physio, or EP with relevant training).
- DCD diagnosis (EACD 2019, DSM-5) requires motor performance at or below the 5th centile, with significant functional impact.
- Useful in mixed profiles (autism + DCD, dyslexia + DCD) where motor difficulty is overlooked because other diagnoses dominate.
The Movement ABC-2 takes around 20–40 minutes, depending on age band. Each age band (3–6, 7–10, 11–16) has eight tasks across three skill areas: Manual Dexterity (e.g. placing pegs, threading lace, drawing trail); Aiming and Catching (e.g. catching a beanbag, throwing at target); Balance (static and dynamic). Scores are reported as a Total Test Score, three Component Scores, and a centile rank.
DCD diagnostic criteria (EACD 2019 international guideline; DSM-5) require motor performance significantly below age expectation, usually a Movement ABC-2 score at or below the 5th centile (the "red zone" in the test's manual), or 5th to 15th centile with significant functional impact. The test is one strand within the diagnosis: criterion B requires the motor difficulties to significantly and persistently interfere with daily living and academic productivity (gathered through history and functional measures); criterion C requires onset in early development; criterion D rules out other neurological or medical causes.
The administration must be carried out by a qualified user, typically an OT, physio, or EP with relevant training. Pearson's test user policy restricts the kit to qualified users.
For SEND, the Movement ABC-2 is the diagnostic measure where DCD is suspected. It is also useful in mixed profiles (autism + DCD, dyslexia + DCD), where the motor difficulty is often overlooked because other diagnoses dominate. A Movement ABC-2 result at or below the 5th centile in a child with autism diagnosis substantially strengthens the case for OT provision in Section F.
In an EHCP, Movement ABC-2 scores are typically reported within the OT advice, with the diagnostic conclusion (DCD or specific motor difficulty) in Section B and the OT provision (intervention sessions, fine motor programme, assistive technology, environmental adjustments) in Section F.
Related terms
The terms parents most often see alongside Movement Assessment Battery for Children.
Dyspraxia(DCD)
A neurodevelopmental difference affecting motor coordination, planning, and organisation. Children with dyspraxia may struggle with handwriting, dressing, ball skills, and sequencing tasks.
Occupational Therapist(OT)
An HCPC-registered specialist who supports children to participate in everyday activities, working on fine motor skills, sensory processing, self-care, and handwriting.
Physiotherapist(Physio)
An HCPC-registered specialist in movement and physical function. Works with children with conditions such as cerebral palsy, hypermobility, and other physical disabilities.
Where parents ask about this
Parents usually find this page after an OT or physio has used the term "Movement ABC", or before a private OT assessment. Searches include "Movement ABC-2 score interpretation", "DCD diagnosis Movement ABC", and "private Movement ABC assessment UK". A Beaakon paediatric OT or physio can carry out a full Movement ABC-2 assessment, set it in the context of functional impact, and produce a tribunal-grade report.
References
The primary legislation, statutory guidance, research, and clinical tools this page draws on.