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What is Dyspraxia?

Chrysalis

What is Dyspraxia?

Dyspraxia is a motor coordination disorder, categorised in the UK as a “Specific Learning Difficulty” or SpLD. Dyspraxia predominantly affects the fine and gross motor skills of a person.

  • Fine Motor Skills: this refers to the small movements we make with our bodies, such as tying shoelaces, writing something, or the action of picking up or placing down an object.
  • Gross Motor Skills: this refers to the larger movements we make, such as catching/kicking a ball, riding a bike, or swimming.

As well as affecting the motor skills of a person, Dyspraxia may also affect spatial awareness, which can present itself as bumping into things, or struggling to walk in a straight line.

Dyspraxia is surprisingly common, affecting up to 10% of the population, with 2% showing severe symptoms. Often, a diagnosis is made during childhood, but many slip the net and do not receive any kind of diagnosis until adulthood, if at all.

For those whose symptoms are spotted during childhood, the process of diagnosis must first eliminate the possibility of other conditions such as Cerebral Palsy, and also consider whether the motor-coordination of the child is below that of their age group (their chronological age). Clinicians state diagnosis is not generally possible below the age of 5 unless symptoms are severe. A child below this age with symptoms may eventually catch up and go on to develop motor coordination which is inline with their chronological development.

Unfortunately, in cases where symptoms are especially mild/subtle, the symptoms of Dyspraxia go largely unnoticed. The child may be aware of their own struggles – such as having difficulty playing sports – and will make a conscious effort to avoid these activities. A child who cannot do a certain activity may be seen as just that, and will therefore be looked over by educational professionals and/or parents.

Terminology

Dyspraxia vs DCD

There has been much debate over the terminology surrounding the condition since its conception in the early 1900s where it was termed Congenital Maladroitness. During the 1960s-70s Dyspraxia was commonly referred to as “Clumsy Child Syndrome”, and was often compared to ADHD, Dyslexia, Dyscalculia and Autism. Today, however, there are specific names used: below are the common terms you will likely come across:

  • Developmental coordination Disorder (DCD): the preferred term of medical professionals.
  • Dyspraxia: less of a mouthful, this term tends to be preferred by those who have the condition and their families.

DCD Difficulties with:

Movement

Balance

Coordination

Organisation

Dyspraxia Difficulties with:

Sensory processing

Planning

Memory

Language

Speech

Attention

Terminology

Dyspraxia vs DCD

There has been much debate over the terminology surrounding the condition since its conception in the early 1900s where it was termed Congenital Maladroitness. During the 1960s-70s Dyspraxia was commonly referred to as “Clumsy Child Syndrome”, and was often compared to ADHD, Dyslexia, Dyscalculia and Autism. Today, however, there are specific names used: below are the common terms you will likely come across:

  • Developmental coordination Disorder (DCD): the preferred term of medical professionals.
  • Dyspraxia: less of a mouthful, this term tends to be preferred by those who have the condition and their families.

Note that: the UK charity “The Dyspraxia Foundation” claims the above terms as separate entities – DCD as being an umbrella term used to describe all motor and language processing disorders, and Dyspraxia as just one of those conditions.

DCD Difficulties with:

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    Movement
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    Balance
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    Coordination
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    Organisation

Dyspraxia Difficulties with:

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    Movement
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    Planning
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    Memory
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    Laguage
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    Speech
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    Attention

Other names

Dyspraxia may also be called:

Hidden handicap
Motor learning difficulties
Perceptuo-motor dysfunction
Developmental co-ordination disorder (DCD)
Clumsy child syndrome
Sensorimotor dysfunction
Motor sequencing disorder

Developmental Apraxia
Specific Developmental Disorder of motor function
Disorder of attention and motor perception (DAMP)
Disorder of sensory integration
Minimal brain dysfunction
Developmental awkwardness
Minimal brain damage

Hidden handicap
Motor learning difficulties
Perceptuo-motor dysfunction
Developmental co-ordination disorder (DCD)
Clumsy child syndrome
Sensorimotor dysfunction
Motor sequencing disorder
Developmental Apraxia
Specific Developmental Disorder of motor function
Disorder of attention and motor perception (DAMP)
Disorder of sensory integration
Minimal brain dysfunction
Developmental awkwardness
Minimal brain damage

Chrysalis

Dyspraxia and the Brain

Neurologically, Dyspraxia affects the cerebellum. Tucked behind the brainstem, this structure is small and roughly shaped like a walnut. Interestingly there are more neurons here than in any other part of the brain – its primary role being to coordinate posture, balance, speech and movement. In essence, it ensures everything runs smoothly, if you will.

Those with Dyspraxia, however, experience misfiring between those neurons controlling their voluntary movements, leading to the physical symptoms noted above.

The cerebellum is not the only area of the brain affected; Dyspraxia can also affect the prefrontal cortex (PFC) in the front part of the brain. This is the area of the brain responsible for how we think. This is the area of the brain responsible for how we think. It aids in our decision making and planning, as well as time management and how we regulate our emotions. Medical professionals refer to these as our Executive Functioning (EF).

Conditions linked with Dyspraxia

  • Dyslexia
  • Autism
  • ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder)
  • Dyscalculia

Note that: the PFC is the last area of the brain to fully mature this generally happens around 25-26 years of age; as such, with a condition like Dyspraxia, it can be underdeveloped or impaired, making life more of a challenge.

Interesting Fact

Up to 70% of children with language problems have comorbid Dyspraxia

A large number of children with autism also display dyspraxia symptoms, but it remains unclear as to whether this is due to comorbidities or a motor dysfunction unique to autism.

Reading and writing disorders commonly overlap with Dyspraxia.

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What school can feel like for a Dyspraxic child

What school can feel like for a Dyspraxic child

Not all learners come neatly labelled or will overtly tell you how they feel

The bright side

Despite all it’s challenges, Dyspraxia isn’t always doom, gloom and struggles!

While those with Dyspraxia can struggle with their day-to-day lives, education and work – in essence learning things in the “neurotypical way” – there are some upsides to living with Dyspraxia. For instance, the daily challenges you meet are good for the brain, in that you make neural connections that other people may not; leading you to problem-solve in different ways. Additionally, a person with dyspraxia is generally more creative in their thinking, and the sheer amount of cognitive energy that goes into everything you do means someone with dyspraxia will often have strong motivation and determination when faced with a task.

Positive characteristics can be:

Creativity

Determination & Motivation

Great sense of humour

Empathy

Great at Problem-solving

The bright side

Despite all it’s challenges, Dyspraxia isn’t always doom, gloom and struggles!

Positive characteristics can be:

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    Creativity
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    Determination & Motivation
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    Great sense of humour
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    Empathy
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    Problem-solving

Chrysalis

Special personal note from me to you:

This condition is NOT related to a lack of intelligence so if you are Dyspraxic, please believe me when I tell you, you are NOT thick or stupid. Take a read of my bio. Hopefully, this will help change your mind.

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