Sometimes unkindly referred to as 'clumsy child' syndrome, developmental dyspraxia is an impairment of the organisation of movement, which can lead to problems with co-ordination and coping with the simple day-to-day tasks many of us take for granted.
Frequently falling over, difficulty walking up and down stairs, poor at dressing, no spatial awareness, problems forming relationships and prone to bullying – these are all familiar symptoms for those affected.
Dyspraxia is thought to affect up to six per cent of the population and up to two per cent severely. Males are four times more likely to be affected than females.
For the majority of those with the condition, there is no known cause. Current research suggests that it is due to an immaturity of neurone development in the brain rather than to brain damage. People with dyspraxia have no clinical neurological abnormality to explain their condition.
Theresa Hart, a trustee of the Dyspraxia Foundation and mother of a dyspraxic son, says: "Dyspraxia is a misunderstood and often misdiagnosed condition. Despite displaying what I now know to be many of the classic signs, we had to fight to get a clear diagnosis for our son, now eight years old. However, once we knew what we were facing, could we start taking positive steps to help make life easier for him and to ensure we were doing all we could to support him help at school, in future relationships and, one day, in the workplace.
She adds: "There is no cure for dyspraxia but there are many coping techniques to help make life easier for sufferers and their families. But more importantly, we need to educate the public and teachers and bring home the message that people with dyspraxia are not difficult and stupid – just different and special"
http://www.dyspraxiafoundation.org.uk/
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What is dyspraxia
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