Yes, dyspraxia is a lifelong neurodevelopmental condition and is considered a disability. It begins in childhood and the underlying neurological differences do not go away; people do not "grow out of" dyspraxia.
In the past, it was known as 'clumsy child syndrome', as it was thought that it only affected children. However, this is not the case - people do not 'grow out of' dyspraxia. The effects remain the same as people get older, although they tend to learn how to manage their difficulties better with time.
It can affect children and adults of all ages and degrees of severity. This disorder is usually diagnosed in childhood but can go undiagnosed for many years. Dyspraxia can improve with age as the brain is able to make better connections, especially with help from a physiotherapist or occupational therapist.
There is no cure for dyspraxia but there are therapies that can help with daily living, such as: occupational therapy – to help you find practical ways to remain independent and manage everyday tasks such as writing or preparing food.
Tiredness and fatigue are overwhelming for many adults who have dyspraxia due to the effort it takes in planning, prioritising, processing and performing everyday tasks whilst trying not to get distracted. Please consider this, remembering how you feel when tired before you make your next tutting noise.
However, many dyspraxics have excellent long-term memories, despite poor short-term memory. Many dyspraxic people benefit from working in a structured environment, as repeating the same routine minimises difficulty with time-management and allows them to commit procedures to long-term memory.
In general, a dyspraxia diagnosis should not prevent you from learning to drive. Sure, you'll have to accept that it will be harder for you to get to grips with the basics and the whole process could take longer than average, but it's not a solid roadblock.
Daniel Radcliffe, Actor.
Well known for his role in 'Harry Potter', Daniel has discussed his dyspraxia, and how he experienced challenges with “jotting down notes” and “tying shoelaces”.
Dyspraxia can disrupt the visual information coming to the brain from the eyes, causing issues with visual processing. Because of this disruption, the brain sometimes has to be selective with the information it considers, causing certain things to be ignored or missed.
Dyspraxic Strengths
So, what are good jobs for people with dyspraxia?
Problems with movement and co-ordination are the main symptoms of DCD. Children may have difficulty with: playground activities such as hopping, jumping, running, and catching or kicking a ball. They often avoid joining in because of their lack of co-ordination and may find physical education difficult.
For the majority of those with the condition there is no known cause, however, current research suggests that it is the unresponsive or varied development of neurones in the brain, rather than brain damage, which form the foundations of dyspraxia.
The causes of dyspraxia aren't well understood. It is thought to be caused by a problem with the way connections develop between the nerves in the brain. There seems to be a strong genetic link — children with dyspraxia tend to have a parent with dyspraxia. It's also linked to complications during pregnancy and birth.
DCD is often confused with dyspraxia. Here's the thing, they are very similar and cause a lot of the same types of clumsiness and disorganisation. However, dyspraxia involves planning of tasks. A child with dyspraxia has difficulty to use toys and equipment in novel ways.
It is thought dyspraxia affects up to 6% of the population, with up to 2% being severely affected. Males are four times more likely to be affected than females. Dyspraxia has also been shown, at times, to run in families. There may be an overlap with related conditions, particularly with dyslexia.
The challenges that come with dyspraxia should never overshadow the incredible strengths that individuals with the condition bring to the table. By embracing these superpowers—creativity, problem-solving, persistence, empathy, and adaptability—organisations can harness a new level of innovation and performance.
While indicators of DCD/dyspraxia are varied they may include challenges in some or multiple of the more common areas:
Dyspraxia is NOT a death sentence when it comes to learning to read and spell. Though many dyspraxic children struggle to keep apace with their peers, literacy breakthrough is achievable. The physical act of handwriting may remain a challenge, but reading and spelling is within reach for these children.
The short answer is, Yes! For example, it is widely believed that Albert Einstein was dyspraxic. He didn't learn to tie his shoelaces until he was 15.
Racket sports, such as table tennis or squash, can be a good option as they help work on coordination and fine motor skills. Gymnastics can also be beneficial as it helps develop muscle strength, flexibility, and balance. Dance is another individual sport that can be adapted for individuals with dyspraxia.
Famous actors like Johnny Depp, Keira Knightly and Orlando Bloom all have dyslexia. Pablo Picasso's teachers described him as “having difficulty differentiating the orientation of letters”.
Though there are careers that utilise the assets of dyspraxia, such as empathy, and leadership, more than others. These jobs include teaching, coaching, leadership, creative arts and business development, amongst other things.
Dyspraxia is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects the planning and coordination of fine and gross motor skills. It is often diagnosed in childhood. Dyspraxia can cause life-long challenges with memory, judgment, perception, information processing, and other cognitive skills.
What are the symptoms of dyspraxia? Children with dyspraxia may be late in reaching normal developmental milestones for example an early sign of dyspraxia is a child taking longer to roll over, sit, crawl, stand, walk, speak and toilet train.