WHAT IS DYSPRAXIA?

also known as Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) 

Dyspraxia is a common neuro-developmental disorder which effects the process of ideation, motor planning and execution.

Dyspraxia has a mental and an educational impact.  It effects between 5-7% of the population.

The Word Dyspraxia comes from the Greek words meaning Dys and Praxis.
* Dys meaning difficulty/abnormality
* Praxis is the Greek word for action or practice, the act of doing /engaging “The ability to interact successfully with the physical environment: to ideate, plan, organise and carry out a sequence of unfamiliar actions: and to do what one needs and wants to do” (Stock Kranowitz 2005, P316)

The Dyspraxia Foundation defines Dyspraxia as ‘an impairment or immaturity of the organisation of movement. It is associated with problems of perception, language and thought. (Dyspraxia Foundation 2014a).

The Leeds Consensus Statement describes it as :Dyspraxia or DCD( Developmental Co-ordination Disorder) ‘The marked impairment has a significant, negative impact on activities of daily living- such as dressing, feeding, riding a bicycle-and / or on academic achievement such as poor handwriting skills. Core aspects of the disorder include difficulties with gross and / or fine motor skills, which maybe apparent in locomotion, agility, manual dexterity, complex skills(e.g ball games) and / or balance (Economic and Social Research Council 2006 p3).

Dyspraxia impacts the following areas:

          IDEATION: which is the planning of movement needed

          MOTOR PLANNING the planning of which muscles are required to expand and contract

          EXECUTION Making movement happen in the sequence and correct timing.

These three things depend on each other to ensure messages are carries down the correct pathways and make the correct connections. So with this disorder, the messages are not getting through and do not produce the correct result.

Dyspraxia impacts everyday life in many ways:

*Motor skills: (Both gross and fine motor skills, referring to large and small muscle groups)
- Gross motor is leg movements and arm movements etc.
-Fine motor is hands, fingers, toes etc
* Catching, throwing, walking, running, skipping hopping
* Poor muscle tone
* Pen/pencil grip eating with a knife and fork
* Handwriting
* Ability to do up buttons
* Dressing one’s self

 

* Poor posture
* Poor balance
* Slouching at a desk
* Speech and Language
* Poor social skills
* Attention and concentration
* Poor concentration


 

* Spatial awareness
* More accident prone
* Visual and auditory processing
* Literacy difficulties (Reading and writing)
* Planning and organisation
* Sequencing of events/recall

 

 

* Classroom and study skills
* Attention deficits
* Inactiveness in the classroom
* Daydreaming
* Inconsistent performance
* Sleepiness
* Fatigue


All of the above have emotional impacts that often result in:
• Low self esteem
• Difficulties with social interaction
• Stress and anxiety.
With Dyspraxia these fine , gross, balance and sequencing actions are not always operating under Praxis or automated.


Much research has been done in regards to movement and intervention with Dyspraxia.

The late Madeleine Portwood, Alison Patrick, Amanda Kirby, Geoff Platt are just some of the amazing people who have dedicated time and research into understanding Dyspraxia and its impact on individuals.

Extensive research has shown a strong link between specific exercise and positive outcomes in people with Dyspraxia.

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