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Dyspraxia is generally defined as an immaturity of the organisation of movement and in many individuals, there may be associated problems with language,perception and thought and it can often run in families. Boys are 4 times more likely to be affected than girls.The term normally used is Developmental Dyspraxia or Development Co-ordination Disorder but other names have sometimes been used in the past ie Clumsy Child Syndrome or Minimal Brain Damage. (Thankfully the last 2 terms are now in decline). The condition is thought to affect up to 10% of the population in varying degrees. It is probable that there is at least one dyspraxic child in every classroom requiring access to specific treatment programmes.
Symptoms are evident from an early age. Youngsters are generally irritable from birth and may exhibit significant feeding problems. They are slow to achieve expected development milestones, often not sitting independently by the age of eight months. Many fail to go through the crawling stage as babies, preferring to bottom shuffle and then walk. Children with Dyspraxia usually avoid tasks which require good manual dexterity and depend upon well developed perceptual skills. Insert puzzles such as lego and jigsaws are difficult. In later years Dyspraxia may inhibit the ability to drive, do household chores, cooking and grooming.
Dyspraxia in Primary Schools
When youngsters enter the education system whether it is at the age of three in nursery class or at the age of four into reception class parents may for the first time be able to discuss concerns
relating to their childs development. The teacher or support assistant will be able to confirm that in relation to other youngsters of the same age, a particular child is finding certain tasks difficult. Parents know their children better than anyone else and will have seen evidence in the home environment of the problems the child is facing in school. If, as a teacher, you are concerned about a child's development, speak to the parent as soon as possible and obtain relevant information about the child's achievement of early milestones.
The Dyspaxic child may have displayed many of the symptoms detailed in Signs and Symptoms however once a child is in school other areas of difficulty may become apparent ie..
* Development of perceptual skills behind peers.
* Laterality remains unestablished.
* Games lessons/music and movement classes are often difficult.
* The child has difficulty with ball skills and other hand/eye and foot/eye co-ordination activities.
* Listening skills may be poor and the child may not respond to sequential commands.
* Immature social skills.
* Problems adapting to a structured school routine.
* Difficulties in PE..poor un co-ordinated movements.
* Slow at dressing (often messy) - unable to tie shoe laces.
* Handwriting barely legible - immature drawings and poor copying skills.
* Literal use of language.
* Only able to remember 2 or 3 instructions either visually or verbally or both.
* Class work is completed slowly and rarely finished.
* Continuing high levels of motor activity.
* Easily distressed and very emotional.
* Messy eaters and have problems using a knife and fork.
* Often a loner and has problems forming close relationships with peers.
To find out what can be done to help children with these difficulties click on What Parents and Teachers Can Do.
Dyspraxia in Secondary Schools
In some cases Dyspraxia is not identified until the child reaches secondary school. He or she may have managed to cope through their previous schools with minor dificulties or with the help of special support assistants. However the structure of secondary schools can often prove to be too difficult for the child ie changing teachers and rooms for every lesson/learning a second language/ being surrounded by many more children than they were used to in Primary and Junior schools and it is at this point that that problems manifest themselves especially in the area of self organisation. Bullying can also become more prevelent at this time. If Dyspraxia is not identified and the child enters secondary education there can be such a high incidence of low self esteem and disaffection that behaviour difficulties are likely to occur without appropriate intervention.
Dyspraxia in the Workplace
Between 5 to 10% of the population have some symptoms of Dyspraxia. It is probable that people who have Dyspraxia work for your organisation. The Dyspraxia Foundation has developed guidelines to raise awareness amongst employers and to provide support to employees. For advise on this matter click Dyspraxia Foundation Hitchin.
Adults with Dyspraxia are often determined, hard working and highly motivated and develop their own coping strategies for working effectively. In many ways,people who have Dyspraxia are similar to those who have Dyslexia: they are often creative and original thinkers as well as strategic problem solvers. To find out how employers can help their Dyspraxic worker click on the links below.
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The Dyspraxia Foundation is a registered charity (No 1058352) and is limited by Guarentee. Registered in England (No 3256733).
THE DYSPRAXIA FOUNDATION (DFCD) is an affiliated member of the National Group based in Hitchin.
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