Dyspraxia

Dyspraxia

Short Definition:

Dyspraxia is a Developmental Co-ordination Disorder (DCD), also known as dyspraxia, is a condition affecting physical co-ordination (fine and gross motor skills, that is arm, leg movement and picking items up (fine) . It causes a you to perform less well than expected in daily activities for your age, and you appear to move clumsily.

You may have:

• poor balance/a bit wobbly
• poor posture/find it hard to sit still
• tiredness
• clumsiness/dropping things/bumping into things
• differences in speech.
• perception problems/problems with the ability to see, hear or become aware of something through the senses.
• poor hand-eye coordination

Videos:

Ms Hooton’s Useful Tips:

Clothing:

• Lay out clothing layer by layer, underwear on top

• Avoid tight neck-holes

• Buy trousers with elasticated waist – saves fiddling with buttons and zips

• Trousers pleated at the front makes identifying ‘the right way round’ easier

• Shirt collars one size larger than fits are easier to fasten

• Baggy t-shirts and shorts are easy and comfy

Eating:

• Use a flexible straw with a drink to prevent spilling

• Don’t fill cups too full

• Use a damp towel under plates to stop them moving

• Sit down to eat where possible

Getting organised:

• Keep to a daily routine

• Post-It® pads stuck at eye level on doors are useful reminders

• Transparent purses and pencil cases let you see the contents easily

• Keep keys and purses on a long chain which clips to clothing

Useful Links & Further Resources:

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/developmental-coordination-disorder-dyspraxia/