Dyspraxia can be serious – it deserves more recognition

Dyspraxia is poorly understood compared to its better-known cousins dyslexia, ADHD and Asperger's syndrome.

Why is my child different?

It has been known by other names: minimal brain dysfunction; clumsy child syndrome; non-verbal learning disorder; deficits with attention, motor skills and perception (DAMP for short).

Dyspraxia is more than just “clumsy child syndrome” – it can cause emotional distress and anxiety throughout life

Unfortunately for many children, DCD does not act alone: it commonly presents alongside other developmental disorders such as dyslexia, specific language impairment and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Children with DCD have been found to be generally slower than their peers to hit early movement milestones such as crawling and walking.

Dyspraxia vs. apraxia of speech

Because dyspraxia and apraxia affect the body’s ability to communicate with certain muscles, reading skills are not directly impacted but writing and speaking can be a challenge. Children may also be at risk for suffering low self-esteem and can easily become discouraged at school.

How adults with dyspraxia navigate daily life

People with developmental coordination disorder (DCD) – also known as dyspraxia – have a “hidden disability”. This neurodevelopmental condition has recently been portrayed by Tosin Cole as Ryan, a time-travelling companion on Doctor Who. It’s a condition that affects coordination and movement. But, because it is often mistaken as “clumsiness”, its significant impact on everyday tasks often goes unrecognised by others.

JJJJJerome is an inspiration for children with speech disorders everywhere

These vulnerable children and their families are struggling for recognition and support, writes one anonymous parent.

Understanding Dyspraxia: The Coordination Disorder That May Explain Your Child’s Clumsiness

Our understanding of neurodiversity has changed a great deal over the last few decades. The term that was once used to describe mostly just autism and ADHD now encompasses dozens of disorders that all share one commonality: they each represent differences in how the brain works and develops. Dyspraxia is one of those disorders, and for kids with a heightened level of clumsiness, it may provide an explanation for a lifetime of trips and falls.