Dyspraxia/DCD

What is Dyspraxia?

Identifying the condition

Dyspraxic people are all unique and each person will have their own, individual profile of difficulties which can range from mild to severe. However, it can be difficult to diagnose the condition when children are under the age of seven, experts say, as all young children acquire physical skills at different rates and find some activities easier than others.

Even so, there are some early signs which may indicate that a child has dyspraxia. Being slow to reach infant milestones such as rolling over, sitting up and learning to walk can be red flags as can clumsiness, finding it difficult to dress or feed themselves or walk up and down stairs. By the time a child starts school, difficulties with handwriting, copying from the blackboard, concentrating, or taking part in PE lessons may be the most obvious signs of the condition.

Getting help

Discovering a child has dyspraxia can feel overwhelming for families. After all, it’s a lifelong condition which may impact a young person’s ability to manage schoolwork, cope with ordinary, daily tasks or find employment when they grow up. Fortunately, the outlook is good as there are a number of ways to help dyspraxic people cope and improve their physical skills, coordination and focus.

As with everyone, regular exercise is important for developing large-muscle strength, endurance and mental wellbeing. Some people with dyspraxia prefer to exercise alone rather than participate in team sports so it’s important for them to take the time to find activities they enjoy.

In addition, they can get better at tricky, fine-motor tasks – tying shoelaces, for example, or using a knife and fork – simply by practising them over and over again. This repetition, experts say, allows the brain to forge new connections and ‘cements’ the learning, just as it would for anyone trying to master a new skill such as playing the piano or knitting.

Occupational therapists often advise breaking a difficult task into smaller sections to make it achievable. In this way, for example, a dyspraxic child might improve their handwriting by first strengthening the muscles in their hand, then practising holding the pencil and finally learning to trace letters on the page.

Tutors can help

For a child distracted by the noise and activity of a classroom, one-to-one time with an expert tutor can boost confidence and help them catch up with schoolwork. An experienced tutor will take the time to find out the child’s interests and what they’re good at as well as what they find difficult.

Useful Contacts

• The Dyspraxia Foundation
  The Dyspraxia Foundation offers a series of free information sheets on their website. They also offer general advice via a helpline on 01462 454986.
• The Royal College of Occupational Therapists
  The Royal College of Occupational Therapists provides guidance, support, and professional resources for occupational therapists across the UK. Visit them here.
• The Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists
  The Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists offer advice on verbal dyspraxia. Visit them here.