It is estimated that between 5-10% of the UK population are living with dyspraxia.
In this article, we take a look at dyspraxia, including the most common signs, and the support that is available for individuals with dyspraxia.
Dyspraxia is a learning difficulty that affects movement and co-ordination – it is also commonly known as Developmental Co-ordination Disorder (DCD). The most common skills that can be affected by dyspraxia are skills linked to co-ordination such as driving a vehicle or playing sport. Fine motor skills may also be affected, which could affect your ability to write, sew, or tie shoelaces.
Differing from a learning disability, a learning difficulty does not affect general intellect, and dyspraxia can affect anyone.
There is no known cause of dyspraxia, however current research suggests that there may be a link to neuron development.
Other observations suggest that dyspraxia often runs in families, and individuals born prematurely may also be at higher risk. It is also more common in males than females.
The condition is often still misunderstood, however there are some signs that could indicate that you or a loved one may have dyspraxia.
The signs of dyspraxia can differ from individual to individual, especially from adults to children. Things such as the opportunities available and accessibility to learn skills, and an individual’s social connections could affect an individual’s experience of dyspraxia.
Some of the most common signs include:
Other areas that dyspraxia can affect are:
If you or a loved one are experiencing any of these symptoms, you may be feeling worried and possibly even frustrated, and wondering if you may have dyspraxia. It is important to speak to your GP if you are experiencing any of the symptoms above.
A dyspraxia diagnosis may be helpful to allow you to access support to help manage your condition.
In order to receive a formal diagnosis, you or your loved one will need to attend an assessment.
The process can vary slightly for adults and children, as unfortunately it can be harder to access an assessment as an adult.
If you are worried about a loved one who is of school age, you can talk to your GP if you think they may have dyspraxia. Your GP will then refer your loved one for further assessment, typically this will be to a Paediatrician, and an Occupational Therapist, Physiotherapist, or Speech and Language Therapist.
Some schools may also refer children to an educational psychologist for further support and advice on supporting their learning at school.
As an adult seeking diagnosis, if your GP thinks that your symptoms could indicate dyspraxia, they may refer you to an Occupational Therapist or Physiotherapist for a diagnostic assessment if this would be helpful to you.
For others, a formal diagnosis is not as important, and they are happy to focus on strategies to manage their day-to-day difficulties.
If you feel that a formal diagnosis is not important to you, your GP may recommend a needs-based assessment. You do not need a formal diagnosis of dyspraxia in order to receive a needs-based assessment.
A needs-based assessment is designed to help identify your needs and develop strategies to help manage these needs on a day-to-day basis.
Once you have identified the areas of support where you or your loved one may need a little extra help, there are a range of strategies and resources available.
In educational settings, support can be in the form of additional time to complete tasks, minimising distractions, asking for tasks to be explained verbally before being demonstrated, and 1:1 extra support if needed.
Support in the workplace may include adaptations such as typing notes as opposed to handwriting or utilising speech-to-text software, breaking down larger tasks into smaller parts, or asking for guidance on organising and planning to meet deadlines.
At home, there are things that you can do to help make certain tasks easier:
There are also lots of support resources online with further advice and support. Dyspraxia Foundation has a wealth of information on its website – from information about everything related to dyslexia, including the latest news and research projects, to tips and advice for young people, adults, and parents and carers.
It may also be helpful to speak with others who have similar experiences. Dyspraxic Adults is a forum for adults with dyspraxia to chat, ask for advice, and share their experiences.
At Northern Healthcare, we support individuals with a mental health diagnosis, learning disability, or autism. Some of our residents may have a secondary diagnosis of dyspraxia, and we work with each individual to tailor a support plan to support their day to day needs to allow them to live as independently as possible.
Find out more about our support model.
Photo by Markus Spiske on Unsplash.
