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Myth #2: Kids with dyspraxia are just being clumsy

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When your child is diagnosed as having developmental dyspraxia you may feel many emotions: shock, relief, isolation. You will want to know how best to help your child and how to plan for the years ahead. You may also wonder how your family is going to cope with the child who has dyspraxia - especially his or her brothers and sisters.

Many parents feel guilt and anger about their child's condition. It is important to recognise that dyspraxia is not anyone's fault. Although there is no cure there are many things that you can do to give practical help and support to your child.

This website explains What is dyspraxia? and gives some suggestions on what to do as a parent of a child with dyspraxia.

In 1997 the Dyspraxia Foundation conducted a survey of its members. It distributed a questionnaire to find out about the age at which dyspraxia was diagnosed in their children; their school's response to the child's dyspraxia; and the severity of the child's dyspraxia.

Having a child who has dyspraxia affects the whole family. You may find that you gear all family life around the needs of that child. It is possible that brothers and sisters feel neglected.

To help everyone, you could

Try activities which involve the whole family equally

Encourage each child to develop their own hobbies and interests so that comparisons are irrelevant

Talk to your partner about the problems and be open about how you both feel

Try to arrange time each week to concentrate on each child, and your partner

Take time for yourself and keep in touch with friends

Join a local support group. Some groups run events which include siblings

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When your child is diagnosed as having developmental dyspraxia you may feel many emotions: shock, relief, isolation. You will want to know how best to help your child and how to plan for the years ahead. You may also wonder how your family is going to cope with the child who has dyspraxia - especially his or her brothers and sisters.

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Myth #1: Dyspraxia is extremely rare.

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I am dyspraxic. I've always excelled in literacy but struggled endlessly with maths, visual-spatial skills and co-ordination. I slid through GCSE Maths with a D, despite extra tuition and a resit. When I once forgot to write my name on a geometry test paper, the teacher said she understood why I'd want to remain anonymous. At 20, when some numeracy crept into my degree, I sought help and was formally diagnosed. It was a relief to know there was a valid reason why, despite good teaching and hard work, I couldn't grasp certain skills. Except it wasn't a relief for long.

Within the job market, particularly the current economic climate, the things I'm weakest at - practical work, numeracy, science, high-level administration - are the most valued. Meanwhile, my strong skills - written and verbal communication - are taken for granted or sneered at. Those seeking careers using them are told they should be the last to expect financial backing.

Dyspraxia is often dismissed as laziness or stupidity, and on a personal level, I've been lucky in terms of how others have perceived my differences. Even those who have had the misfortune to teach or work with me in problematic situations have acknowledged my strengths, and been puzzled by the areas where my tenacity hasn't translated into achievement. Yet with each new cycle of students and graduates, and every dip in the economy, the world at large reminds me how worthless the skills I do have are. Recent reports tell of how the financial climate is prompting would-be arts students to emigrate, and the general mood is that anyone with sense should train as a plumber or an engineer.

Then there are the sneers about arts and humanities graduates and their useless degrees in Japanese lesbian studies (bashing English or humanities graduates doubles up as an excuse to insult minorities). Of course, said graduates are continually mocked whatever they choose to do afterwards, whether they head for the creative industries or the relative security of public services. I genuinely don't understand this. I don't denounce the entire financial services sector as unworthy just because parts of it are irresponsible. Every profession contains well-meaning people simply making the most of the skills they were born with.

During the many debates over what jobs people should and shouldn't be doing, the obvious factor of innate aptitude, or lack of it, seems to be forgotten. I am simply no use to society as an electrician or an accountant. With support and determined practice, I can organise my daily life and do the basic practical tasks required for it, but I will never do them well enough to be paid, no matter how useful or heavily in-demand they may be. Neither will many others, dyspraxic or not. It is curious that the same people who are strong believers in genetic determinism don't seem to accept that aptitude is at least partly genetic, and think those who happen to be good at one thing over another deserve contempt, or should be expected to work for free until their late 20s. And while there is certainly a legitimate debate to be had about whether certain students are doing degrees for the right reasons, this should not stop people who are genuinely good at arts and humanities - and good at little else - from pursuing them.

My uneven profile of strengths and weaknesses has caused me problems finding and keeping work, most visible in a lack of fall-back options to make ends meet when freelance writing work is sparse. I'd love a waitressing job, for example, but employers won't give me extra training and support when there are hundreds of people who can do the job without it. This summer, I worked as a copywriter for an organisation that provides workplace support to adults with specific learning difficulties such as dyspraxia, along with dyslexia, ADHD and Asperger's syndrome. I'm currently working towards a formal qualification in teaching dyslexic children in order to help others while better supporting myself in the future, but I'm struggling to find enough flexible, sufficiently paid work to cover the fees. Times may be tough for everyone, but they would be less tough for me and others in my position if our abilities weren't so derided.
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I'm dyspraxic, not useless | Maxine Frances Roper

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I am dyspraxic. I've always excelled in literacy but struggled endlessly with maths, visual-spatial skills and co-ordination. I slid through GCSE Maths with a D, despite extra tuition and a resit. When I once forgot to write my name on a geometry test paper, the teacher said she understood why I'd want to remain anonymous.

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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 child’s 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 very difficult.

Parents know their children better than any one 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 achievements of early milestones.

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Not proven but highly possible Albert had dyspraxia:

“Imagination is more important than knowledge. For knowledge is limited to all we now know and understand, while imagination embraces the entire world, and all there ever will be to know and understand.” Quite right, Albert!

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“Don’t let it stop you. It has never held me back.”

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Remember there is no cure for dyspraxia but there are many strategies that can help.A diagnosis can help you come to terms with your problems, put things into perspective and improve you self-esteem.Think positively and keep your sense of humour.Many people with dyspraxia are very creative, determined, persistent and intelligent.Try assertiveness and self-development classes or join a self-help or support group.Break down large tasks into smaller components to make them more manageable.Try to carry out some kind of relaxation exercise every day such as yoga or the Alexander Technique.Try going to the fitness gym to improve your muscle strength and co-ordination.Do any sport/activity that might improve your co-ordination and manual dexterity such as computer games, bowling, swimming, rock climbing, walking and aqua aerobics. Find something that you really enjoy doing.Use diaries, calendars, post it notes to plan your day/week/month. Prioritise things you have to do first. Finish one task before you start another. Mind maps and flow charts can also be of use.Use any implement in the home to help you carry out your daily tasks such as electric toothbrushes, electric shavers, kettle-tippers, special tin openers and potato peelers, word processors with spell checks and lap-top computers.If you are leaning a new sequence of actions, see that you get clear, precise instructions. Use a video if this helps.

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Remember there is no cure for dyspraxia but there are many strategies that can help.A diagnosis can help you come to terms with your problems, put things into perspective and improve you self-esteem.Think positively and keep your sense of humour.Many people with dyspraxia are very creative, determined, persistent and intelligent.Try assertiveness and self-development classes or join a self-help or support group.Break down large tasks into smaller components to make them more manageable.Try to carry out some kind of relaxation exercise every day such as yoga or the Alexander Technique.Try going to the fitness gym to improve your muscle strength and co-ordination.Do any sport/activity that might improve your co-ordination and manual dexterity such as computer games, bowling, swimming, rock climbing, walking and aqua aerobics. Find something that you really enjoy doing.Use diaries, calendars, post it notes to plan your day/week/month. Prioritise things you have to do first. Finish one task before you start another. Mind maps and flow charts can also be of use.Use any implement in the home to help you carry out your daily tasks such as electric toothbrushes, electric shavers, kettle-tippers, special tin openers and potato peelers, word processors with spell checks and lap-top computers.If you are leaning a new sequence of actions, see that you get clear, precise instructions. Use a video if this helps.

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Remember there is no cure for dyspraxia but there are many strategies that can help.

A diagnosis can help you come to terms with your problems, put things into perspective and improve you self-esteem.

Think positively and keep your sense of humour.

Many people with dyspraxia are very creative, determined, persistent and intelligent.

Try assertiveness and self-development classes or join a self-help or support group.

Break down large tasks into smaller components to make them more manageable.

Try to carry out some kind of relaxation exercise every day such as yoga or the Alexander Technique.

Try going to the fitness gym to improve your muscle strength and co-ordination.

Do any sport/activity that might improve your co-ordination and manual dexterity such as computer games, bowling, swimming, rock climbing, walking and aqua aerobics. Find something that you really enjoy doing.

Use diaries, calendars, post it notes to plan your day/week/month. Prioritise things you have to do first. Finish one task before you start another. Mind maps and flow charts can also be of use.

Use any implement in the home to help you carry out your daily tasks such as electric toothbrushes, electric shavers, kettle-tippers, special tin openers and potato peelers, word processors with spell checks and lap-top computers.

If you are leaning a new sequence of actions, see that you get clear, precise instructions. Use a video if this helps.

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Dyspraxia in Adulthood

Developmental dyspraxia is an impairment or immaturity of the organisation of movement. It is associated with problems of perception, language and thought. The term dyspraxia comes from the word praxis, which means ‘doing, acting’. It includes what to do and how to do it.

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Fact: There’s no cure for dyspraxia, and kids don’t outgrow it. However, kids do get better at doing certain tasks over time with lots of practice and feedback. Occupational therapy and speech therapy, along with other tools and strategies, may help improve symptoms. For older children, learning to use a keyboard may help with writing. Technology tools like dictation software can also be a great help.

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Myth #5: There aren’t any treatments for dyspraxia.

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Fact: There’s no connection between dyspraxia and low IQ. Having dyspraxia doesn’t mean a child isn’t intelligent.

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How would I recognise a child with Dyspraxia?

The pre-school child

Is late in reaching milestones e.g. rolling over, sitting, standing, walking, and speaking

May not be able to run, hop, jump, or catch or kick a ball although their peers can do so

Has difficulty in keeping friends; or judging how to behave in company

Has little understanding of concepts such as ‘in’, ‘on’, ‘in front of’ etc

Has difficulty in walking up and down stairs

Poor at dressing

Slow and hesitant in most actions

Appears not to be able to learn anything instinctively but must be taught skills

Falls over frequently

Poor pencil grip

Cannot do jigsaws or shape sorting games

Artwork is very immature

Often anxious and easily distracted

The school age child

Probably has all the difficulties experienced by the pre-school child with dyspraxia, with little or no improvement

Avoids PE and games

Does badly in class but significantly better on a one-to -one basis

Reacts to all stimuli without discrimination and attention span is poor

May have trouble with maths and writing structured stories

Experiences great difficulty in copying from the blackboard

Writes laboriously and immaturely

Unable to remember and /or follow instructions

Is generally poorly organised

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Myth #4: Kids with dyspraxia tend to have low intelligence.

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Myth #3: Dyspraxia is the same as dysgraphia.

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Myth #3: Dyspraxia is the same as dysgraphia.

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Fact: Kids with dyspraxia typically have trouble with motor skills. This might make them appear to just be clumsy or “out of sync” with their environment—but there’s more to it than that. Because of their dyspraxia, kids can have trouble controlling muscles. This includes small muscles, like the ones in their hands. This can make everyday tasks like writing and brushing their teeth a struggle. It can also make them seem uncoordinated, immature and socially awkward.

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Fact: Kids with dyspraxia typically have trouble with motor skills. This might make them appear to just be clumsy or “out of sync” with their environment—but there’s more to it than that. Because of their dyspraxia, kids can have trouble controlling muscles. This includes small muscles, like the ones in their hands. This can make everyday tasks like writing and brushing their teeth a struggle. It can also make them seem uncoordinated, immature and socially awkward.

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There are no medications to treat dyspraxia. However, many children who have dyspraxia also have attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). If your child's doctor recommends taking ADHD medication for attention issues, it might help your child focus when working with a therapist on motor skills.

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There are no medications to treat dyspraxia. However, many children who have dyspraxia also have attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). If your child's doctor recommends taking ADHD medication for attention issues, it might help your child focus when working with a therapist on motor skills.

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Fact: Dyspraxia often goes undiagnosed and unrecognized, but it’s believed to be relatively common. An estimated six to 10 percent of children have some features of dyspraxia. It can go by many names, including developmental coordination disorder and motor learning difficulty

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Fact: Dyspraxia often goes undiagnosed and unrecognized, but it’s believed to be relatively common. An estimated six to 10 percent of children have some features of dyspraxia. It can go by many names, including developmental coordination disorder and motor learning difficulty

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What causes dyspraxia? Although the exact causes of dyspraxia are unknown, it is thought to be caused by a disruption in the way messages from the brain are transmitted to the body. This affects a person’s ability to perform movements in a smooth, coordinated way.

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What causes dyspraxia? Although the exact causes of dyspraxia are unknown, it is thought to be caused by a disruption in the way messages from the brain are transmitted to the body. This affects a person’s ability to perform movements in a smooth, coordinated way.

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Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD), also known as dyspraxia, is a common disorder affecting fine and/or gross motor coordination in children and adults. DCD is formally recognised by international organisations including the World Health Organisation. DCD is distinct from other motor disorders such as cerebral palsy and stroke, and occurs across the range of intellectual abilities. Individuals may vary in how their difficulties present: these may change over time depending on environmental demands and life experiences, and will persist into adulthood.

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'A developmental disorder of the brain in childhood causing difficulty in activities requiring coordination and movement'.