Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD), also known as dyspraxia, is a common disorder affecting fine and/or gross motor coordination in children and adults. Dyspraxia/DCD is estimated to affect 5% of the population with 2% affected severely.
The difficulties encountered by dyspraxic individuals can vary considerably. It is not uncommon for these difficulties to change over time depending on environmental demands and life experiences.
Simply put, dyspraxia is when messages from the brain don’t reach their intended destination, or reach take the scenic route, which results in problems carrying out movements in the right order.
Dyspraxia is more than just being uncoordinated
Despite being previously referred to as Clumsy Child Syndrome, dyspraxia is much more than that.
Children may have difficulties when writing and riding a bike as well as other educational and recreational activities. In adulthood many of these difficulties will continue, along with others when learning new skills at home, in education and work, such as driving a car and DIY.
Social and emotional difficulties may also be present in addition to problems with time management, planning and personal organisation. These co-occuring difficulties can cause serious negative impacts on daily life and may also cause issues in education or employment.
If that wasn’t enough to contend with, many people with dyspraxia experience difficulties with memory, perception and processing. It can also affect articulation, speech and thought.
There are good symptoms of dyspraxia too, such as having a fantastic sense of humour, a good imagination and being flexible. These are just a few of the symptoms.
What Does Dyspraxia Mean?
A simple dyspraxia definition is that ‘dys’ means ‘impaired’ and ‘praxia’ means ‘action’.
- dys=impaired
- praxia=action
So the meaning of dyspraxia is literally impaired action.
What Causes Dyspraxia?
According to the Dyspraxia Foundation, the cause is unknown.
Treatment for Dyspraxia
There is no cure for dyspraxia. However, people with the condition can be extremely resourceful and often find ways to deal with their symptoms. Routines and lots of practice help to enforce the connection between the brain and the action, making it easier each time.
People with dyspraxia may need longer to complete certain tasks because certain actions don’t come naturally to them. However with plenty of practice and support they will get there in the end.
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