Dyspraxia

The types of dyspraxia may be oral, verbal, motor, idea or space related, as follows:

• Oral – speaking and communication difficulties

• Verbal – difficulty making other actions with the mouth, such as licking, or may have poor control over the mouth (leading to dribbling)

• Motor – person may understand how to carry out an activity but may have difficulty putting it into action and actually undertaking the movements required

• Idea – difficulty breaking down tasks into smaller actions and movements

• Space – difficulty understanding patterns, instructions, arranging objects etc

Diagnosis of dyspraxia can take some time, and the earlier the condition is diagnosed, the better for the child. A child with dyspraxia may have varied symptoms throughout their childhood, and these may continue to change through adulthood.

Signs and symptoms of dyspraxia (in childhood and beyond) may include:

• Delays in learning to roll over or sit up

• Delays in learning to walk

• Falling over or bumping into things (more than is usual for a child that age)

• Difficulties learning to use the toilet

• Lack of coordination

• Difficulties grasping objects

• Difficulties with physical activities e.g. running, catching a ball, etc

• Difficulties learning to write

• Problems with getting dressed, doing up buttons and tying shoelaces

• Unable to stay still e.g. fidgety

• Difficulty concentrating

• Difficulty following instructions

• Finding school challenging but learning more successfully in smaller groups or with private tuition

• Lack of organisation skills

• Finding it hard to learn new things

• Having low self-esteem

• Finding it hard to make friends

• Difficulty pronouncing words

• Having a lack of short term memory

Such a long list of dyspraxia symptoms can sound negative, but there are lots of positive aspects of having the condition as well. For example, people with dyspraxia may be good at creative thinking, and have a good long term memory. Despite some of the challenges listed above, there are lots of ways for a child or an adult with dyspraxia to adapt to and manage their condition.

For more information about dyspraxia symptoms, visit the Dyspraxia Foundation website.

If you are concerned your child may be exhibiting signs of dyspraxia, or if you are an adult yourself and are concerned you may have the condition without knowing it, you should contact your GP. If your child is of school age, you could speak to their special educational needs coordinator initially as well. It may be useful to keep a log of symptoms and behaviours you are concerned about for when you visit your doctor. They will undertake an initial examination and ask about symptoms. They may refer you to a paediatrician if they think there may be a chance that the symptoms may be dyspraxia (or a related condition).

It is quite common for a child to not receive an official dyspraxia diagnosis until they are of school age, even if this has been suspected for some time, because it is difficult to test for dyspraxia in toddlers. Early diagnosis in childhood can really benefit a person and help them develop skills and abilities.

Dyspraxia affects everybody differently, so it is difficult to say what impact the condition will have on a child or adult’s daily life, or their family life. Some people have dyspraxia symptoms that are very challenging and these people may need lots of support, whereas other people may have milder symptoms that are easier to manage.

Dyspraxia can sometimes affect daily activities such as:

• Education e.g. finding it difficult in a classroom setting or learning new things

• Reading and writing e.g. coordinating a pen or reading slowly

• Self-care and independence e.g. getting dressed, grooming, using the toilet and bathroom

• Eating and drinking e.g. finding it difficult to coordinate cutlery or a cup

• Playing and getting exercise e.g. finding it difficult to use toys or run around

There are lots of ways to manage daily activities though to make life easier, and there are health and social care professionals who may be able to help. For example, an Occupational Therapist (OT) may be able to recommend different ways to do tasks, or equipment that may make tasks easier. A physiotherapist may be able to help a child (or adult) develop their physical movements, such as walking or running, by working on balance and coordination. If your child is living with dyspraxia, there are support services and learning programmes available.

If you are a parent or carer, it may help to read about other people’s experiences of living with dyspraxia, such as the Action Medical Research story and Dyspraxia Foundation’s positive stories.

There are special types of equipment available called daily living aids, which are designed to help people with health conditions or disabilities to undertake everyday tasks they may be having difficulties with. At NRS Healthcare, we are experts in daily living aids, and we have put together a list below of the types of dyspraxia aids that may help a child with the condition. We have arranged this according to the area or type of task that a person may have difficulty with due to their dyspraxia symptoms.

Writing and gripping:

• Pen grippers

• Writing slope

• Foam tubing

• Therapeutic putty

• Non-slip material

Eating and drinking:

• Easy grip cutlery

• Flexible straws

• Two handled cup

• Keep warm plate

Fidgeting and sitting:

• Fiddle toy

• Posture cushion

Play and exercise:

• Stability cushion

Using the bathroom:

• Shower chair

• Toilet frame

• Bathing support

If you are unsure what aids for dyspraxia may help you or your child, NRS Healthcare has a team of Occupational Therapist Product Advisors who you can ask for advice. Contact them on 0345 121 8111 or email productadvice@nrshealthcare.co.uk

There is no cure or medication treatments available for dyspraxia. Dyspraxia treatment therefore usually involves a variety of health and social care professionals, school and family, working together. Dyspraxia Foundation provides advice about who to contact for help. Children do not grow out of their dyspraxia, but the condition may change and a child can develop new skills and abilities as they grow older. Many parents adopt a task-focussed approach, dealing with specific tasks that are difficult by breaking them down, looking at ways to adapt them, and so on.

The NHS also provides information about treatments for dyspraxia.

Exercise for dyspraxia

Some children and adults with dyspraxia find exercising difficult due to balance and coordination difficulties. A physiotherapist may be able to help with this. Skills for action website has some helpful information about getting children with dyspraxia more involved in sport and exercise.

Dyspraxia diet

People with a dyspraxia diagnosis will benefit from eating a healthy, nutritious diet. This helps the body function. If you are a parent and want to know how to ensure your child has a healthy diet, the British Nutrition Foundation provides a wealth of information. The NHS also provides lots of tips on eating a balanced diet. Some people choose to take dyspraxia supplements such as omega-3, which is found in oily fish or available as a tablet or liquid. There is little evidence to confirm that this is effective at reducing symptoms.

Dyspraxia and employment

People with dyspraxia are able to work and provide a range of skills and abilities in the workplace. Some people may need extra support to find employment or to manage their workload. Dyspraxia Foundation provides information for job seekers and employers.

Dyspraxic Adults Forum – an online community of adults with dyspraxia

Dyspraxic Teens Forum – an online community of teenagers and young adults with dyspraxia

Contact a Family – a charity that connects families living with various health conditions, enabling them to share experiences and mutual support

Dyspraxia Foundation – a UK charity that supports people affected by dyspraxia, providing lots of information about the condition, a helpline and local groups

Dyspraxia Foundation Youth – part of the Dyspraxia Foundation supporting people aged 13-25 years old, providing a helpline, Facebook group and downloadable factsheets

Dyspraxia UK – a specialist organisation providing Occupational Therapist assessments for children and adults who may have dyspraxia

NHS – source of medical information and advice on dyspraxia symptoms, causes and treatments

Motor planning disorder

– a condition that affects a person’s ability to carry out tasks using motor skills – the learned (non-habit) actions that require brain and muscle to work together

Motor skills

– action requiring movement and coordination of the body i.e. the arms, legs, fingers, toes, etc, such as running, jumping, walking, gripping

Neurological

– related to the nervous system which consists of the brain and spinal cord

Neurones

– cells in the body that transmit electrical impulses (messages) to and from the brain

Perception

– our ability to be aware of the world through our senses