Dyspraxia -
or is it Developmental Coordination Disorder,
Motor Learning Difficulty, Apraxia....
or is it Developmental Coordination Disorder,
Motor Learning Difficulty, Apraxia....
Dyspraxia, Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD), Motor Learning Difficulty, Apraxia which one is it, is it really anything or can children just be clumsy? DCD is medically recognized by the American Psychiatric Association. It is published in the most recent Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders 5 (DSM-5). This publication includes a range of symptoms or criteria for this diagnosis, such as; the acquisition and execution of coordinated motor skills is substantially below that expected given the individual’s chronological age and opportunity for skill learning and use, DSM-5 (2013).
Other sources may say Dyspraxia is different to DCD, this website will follow the DSM-5 which treats it as the same condition.
This diagnosis can include many different issues that your child may encounter, they may experience many, a few, or only one. Dyspraxia presents in a wide range of ways, the following are different types:
Parents you have over come many hurdles with your child. Middle school can create new challenges. What does this mean for a child with dyspraxia?
The following problems may present for your child in middle school:
This website is designed to provide parent's with information about and an understanding of dyspraxia. Describing how this could impact a child as they transition to middle school and the demands that come with that. There are activities that can be done at home and some that a child may experience in school if they receive occupational therapy. There are resources that are focused on an educational basis, community and activity basis, and extra curricular.
Other sources may say Dyspraxia is different to DCD, this website will follow the DSM-5 which treats it as the same condition.
This diagnosis can include many different issues that your child may encounter, they may experience many, a few, or only one. Dyspraxia presents in a wide range of ways, the following are different types:
- Ideomotor – this will mean a child may have difficulty completing single step tasks such as brushing their hair or waving goodbye.
- Ideational – means a child may experience difficulty performing movements in sequence, such as brushing teeth or making a sandwich.
- Oromotor (Childhood Apraxia of Speech) – difficulties in putting sounds together to form words, the inability to produce distinct sounds correctly. Child may experience weakness in face and mouth muscles, including the tongue to produce movement needed to speak effectively.
- Constructional – a child may have difficulty knowing their position in space. They may also experience difficulty with fine-motor skills required to make models or play with building blocks.
Parents you have over come many hurdles with your child. Middle school can create new challenges. What does this mean for a child with dyspraxia?
The following problems may present for your child in middle school:
- Writing expectations increase - students are expected to take their own notes or copy instructions.
- Verbal instructions may be presented in a more complex way and a lot quicker.
- Homework - the amount and complexity increases, this is more demanding for all students.
- Your child may find it difficult to ask a teacher to repeat an instruction or go over information again. This can cause them to be embarrassed in front of classmates.
- Your child may feel that teachers and in fact you the parent(s) do not understand how they are feeling and what they are experiencing.
- Your child may avoid gym class or other forms of physical activity. This area can challenge coordination as they may have to move to a beat or keep a rhythm.
- Social isolation - your child may feel alone, like they do not have any friends.
- Friends may not understand the difficulties they have everyday at home and in school.
This website is designed to provide parent's with information about and an understanding of dyspraxia. Describing how this could impact a child as they transition to middle school and the demands that come with that. There are activities that can be done at home and some that a child may experience in school if they receive occupational therapy. There are resources that are focused on an educational basis, community and activity basis, and extra curricular.
Authors: John Hassett, OTAS. David Maciejewski, OTAS.
'Dealing with Dyspraxia in Middle School' was completed as part OT 219
within the Occupational Therapy Assistant Program at Erie Community College
'Dealing with Dyspraxia in Middle School' was completed as part OT 219
within the Occupational Therapy Assistant Program at Erie Community College