How to Understand Dyspraxia, Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD)

Dsypraxia

Dyspraxia, Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD), is a neurological condition affecting planned and coordinated movement.

Dyspraxia

Dyspraxia has non-motor difficulties, such as sensory processing, attention, planning, language, and speech. Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) is a part of Dyspraxia that covers balance, movement, coordination, and organisation difficulties that affect motor skills. DCD is recognised in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM-5) writing—oral diagnosis of learning difficulties. The Dyspraxia part is not recognised, but the symptoms are connected.

Diagnosis criteria

Dyspraxia is a lifelong condition that typically becomes apparent in childhood and can persist into adulthood. It primarily impacts activities that require motor coordination. There are three types of Dyspraxia that children can have difficulty with. 

Motor Dyspraxia - difficulty with fine motor skills, dressing, writing, (Executive functioning)

Oral Dyspraxia - co-ordinating parts of the mouth to make sounds

Verbal Dyspraxia - co-ordinating and producing clear speech

Symptoms of Dyspraxia

1. Fine motor skills: Difficulty with tasks like handwriting, buttoning clothes, using utensils, and tying shoelaces.

2. Gross motor skills: Challenges with running, jumping, riding a bike, or participating in sports.

3. Balance and coordination: Problems with balance and coordination may result in frequent stumbling or falling.

4. Spatial awareness: Difficulty judging distances and spatial relationships.

5. Planning and organisation: Struggles with planning and organising tasks, which can affect academic, work, and daily living skills.

6. Sequencing: Difficulty performing tasks requiring a specific sequence of steps, such as cooking or following instructions.

7. Sensory processing: Some individuals may also have sensory sensitivities or difficulties processing sensory information, such as sensitivity to light, noise, or touch.

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Intellectual ability

It's important to note that dyspraxia is not related to intelligence. People often have average or above-average intelligence, but their motor coordination difficulties can impact their ability to demonstrate their full potential in various areas of life.

Strengths

Creative

Big-picture, strategic thinkers

Good communication skills

Problem solvers

How would I recognise a child with dyspraxia/DCD?

The presence of many (although not all) of these signs might suggest that a child has dyspraxia, according to the Dyspraxia Foundation website:

• Delay in acquiring early motor skills such as sitting, crawling, and walking

• Difficulty running, jumping, hopping, catching/throwing compared to other children

• Movements appear awkward, slow, and hesitant. Frequent

• Needs to be taught physical skills rather than picking them up instinctively

• , trips and falls

• Poor pencil grip. Writing is slow and immature.

• Difficulty getting dressed and using cutlery.

• Poor understanding of spatial concepts such as on/under/over/in front of.

• Difficulty keeping friends and judging how to behave in company.

• Anxious and has low self-esteem.

• Difficulty paying attention to all stimuli without discrimination.

• Works better 1:1 or in a small group

• Has difficulty following instructions

• Has difficulty managing time.

• Often loses things

How would I recognise an adult with dyspraxia/DCD?

The presence of many (although not all) of these signs might suggest that an adult is from the Dyspraxia Foundation website:

• History of physical awkwardness as a child, but may have developed coping or avoidance strategies as an adult.

• Difficulty learning new motor skills or applying skills in a different or busy environment

• Difficulty handling tools and equipment, such as a tin opener.

• Poor balance, tires easily.

• Can produce lots of writing or neat writing, but not both at the same time.

• Anxious and may avoid social situations where difficulties might be exposed

• Poor organisation and time management skills.

• Misses deadlines, is late for appointments.

• Awkward pauses before answering questions

• Underachieves academically and in the workplace.

Caged in Chaos: A Dyspraxic Guide to Breaking Free Updated Edition Paperback – Illustrated, 21 May 2014

I bought this book years ago when my son was diagnosed, and I understood my son. The new version tracks the author's experiences at university and work.

Written by a teenager with dyspraxia, this is a humorous and inspiring practical guide for young adults with dyspraxia and those around them trying to get to grips with the physical, social and psychological chaos caused by developmental co-ordination disorders (DCDs). In her own conversational style, Victoria Biggs explains the primary effects of dyspraxia - disorganisation, clumsiness and poor short-term memory - and other difficulties that dyspraxic teenagers encounter, such as bullying and low self-esteem. Peppered with personal stories from other teens, this award-winning book offers down-to-earth advice on a wide range of adolescent issues, from puberty, health and hygiene to family life and making friends.

Parenting a child with Learning Disabilities - disabilityadvice.org