DYSPRAXIA

This is sometimes called

  DEVELOPMENTAL CO-ORDINATION DISORDER   -   DCD

CLUMSY CHILD SYNDROME

  MOTOR LEARNING DIFFICULTY

WHAT IS IT

It is a problem with planning 'doing'

It is a problem or immaturity of the brain resulting in messages not being properly transmitted to the body

The main difficulty is with the organisations of

movements

actions  

thought  

doing

Associated with this there may be problems of language and sensory perception

Gross and fine motor skills   can be   hard to learn, difficult to retain and awkward to do.

Speech may be immature early on and language late to develop.

There is a poor understanding of the messages coming in through our senses

There may be difficulty in planning and organising thoughts

It has nothing to do with IQ. Dyspraxic children may be high, average or low intelligence.

Some children may be very mildly affected whilst others are badly disabled

It affects 6 in every 100 children

It is 4 times more common in boys

HOW MIGHT IT AFFECT BEHAVIOUR - some of the below

(age 5-7)

Problems adapting to school routine

Difficulty with PE

Slow at dressing- unable to tie shoe laces

Poor hand writing

Poor drawing

Poor concentration

Literal use of language

Problems with articulation

Difficulty remembering instructions

Classwork done very slowly

Fidgety

Hand flapping or clapping when excited

Easily upset, very emotional

Difficulty co-ordinating a knife and fork

Difficulty forming relationships with other youngsters and appears isolated in the class group

Sleeping difficulties (wakes up, nightmares)

Physical symptoms (migraine, headache, feeling sick)

(Not all of these will apply to every dyspraxic individual.)

Dyspraxia is a very real disability which does not show on the outside. It might almost be easier for the child if it did. They might then receive more sympathy and understanding from others.

Older children with dyspraxia usually converse well with adults but they may be ostracised by their own age group because they do not fit in. They may cleverly avoid doing those tasks that are difficult or even impossible for them

WHAT CAN BE DONE AND WHO TO GO TO

The earlier a child is treated the greater the chance of improvement. The most important thing is to restore and maintain self confidence and self esteem

For more information and support contact:-

THE DYSPRAXIA FOUNDATION

http://www.dyspraxiafoundation.org.uk/

On request they can provide excellent information packs for you and your child's teacher.

Another site with useful information from psychologist Madeleine Portwood

http://web.ukonline.co.uk/members/madeleine.portwood/dysprax.htm

A very informative fact sheet written by a doctor at St Georges Hospital London

http://www.cafamily.org.uk/Direct/d48.html

The New Zealand Dyspraxia Association  

http://www.dyspraxia.org.nz/

Another Support Network

http://www.show.scot.nhs.uk/fpct/mhweb/dysprax.htm

*Newsflash*             DYSLEXIA ADHD DYSPRAXA

Due to popular demand SCHOOLDOCTOR has opened a Scottish Clinic giving advice on these problems

for details;       http://www.schooldoctor.org.uk

Your child will require help from

OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY or PHYSIOTHERAPY ( possibly both )

A lot of skills that we take for granted will never become automatic to someone with dyspraxia and will have to be taught

Your child may be referred directly to Occupational Therapy or Physiotherapy by the health visitor, school nurse, school doctor or your GP. Or you may be referred first to a Paediatrician or Community Paediatrician.

An occupational therapist with an interest in 'sensory integration' may be particularly helpful

Your child will also need extra help at school via The LEARNING SUPPORT Dept

An assessment by an EDUCATIONAL PSYCHOLOGIST (see Chapter 3) will help pinpoint the areas were and how this can best be given

Your child may also benefit from a 'SOCIAL SKILLS GROUP'. In Scotland these are run by specialised SPEECH THERAPISTS and can be extremely helpful in particular were there is a problem in language. ie not being able to see past the literal meaning of a sentence. Children with Aspergers also share these problems.

Help at school can also be given via the SCHOOL DOCTOR/NURSE. They can help and support you and your child and help educate and support teaching staff.

ASSOCIATED CONDITIONS

As already said above Dyspraxia, Aspergers, Dyslexia, ADHD are closely interwoven.

In Dyspraxia the child often has problems with social skills and communication as found in Aspergers

He often has problems with concentration as found in ADHD

He often has problems with reading, spelling and organisation as found in Dyslexia

If   these problems exist they should be recognised and addressed.

(This may require a referral to Child Psychiatry to advise on ADHD and Asperger type problems)