Does your child sometimes behave a little differently than other children? For example, have you noticed that he has a little difficulty holding a toy properly, buttoning his shirt, or running around playing? Does he sometimes seem a little behind others in doing even the smallest tasks? This could be due to a condition called Dyspraxia, or Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD). Don't worry, we'll talk about this in detail and in a very simple way today.
What is Dyspraxia? Let's understand it simply!
Simply put, dyspraxia is a condition that begins in childhood and continues. It mainly involves a child having difficulty coordinating their body movements . This means they have difficulty moving their arms and legs properly to perform tasks, grasping objects, and maintaining balance.
Think about it, some children have a hard time riding a bike, catching a ball, or playing sports, right? Also, some children may have a harder time writing, drawing, buttoning a shirt, or tying shoelaces than others. These difficulties can affect each child differently. For some, these symptoms may be noticeable at a young age, while for others, this may not be obvious until the child is a little older.
Doctors classify this condition, called Dyspraxia or Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD), as a movement disorder related to the development of the nervous system. According to the American Psychiatric Association's latest classification of mental disorders, the DSM-5, it is described as such. Previously, some have also called it a learning disability.
The term "dyspraxia" is also used among adults. But it is not usually a condition that begins in childhood. Sometimes, movement difficulties develop later due to damage to the brain, such as a stroke or brain injury, and doctors call it "acquired dyspraxia."
What is the difference between Dyspraxia and Apraxia?
Doctors sometimes use the terms 'apraxia' and 'dyspraxia' interchangeably, but there is a slight difference between the two. Apraxia is usually a more severe condition than dyspraxia.
Imagine, when someone with apraxia is asked to do something, even though they understand it and want to do it, they are unable to do it at all. That is, they have completely lost the ability to make a movement.
But, in dyspraxia, even when you try to do something, it's hard to do it accurately, precisely, and neatly. Not completely impossible, but very difficult, and often messy.
Apraxia also has different subtypes. For example, Childhood Apraxia of Speech, which affects speaking, Limb-kinetic Apraxia, which affects the ability to make fine movements of an arm, finger, or leg, and Constructional Apraxia, which affects the ability to draw or copy simple drawings.
Who is most affected by dyspraxia? What are the risk factors?
The first signs of dyspraxia, or developmental coordination disorder (DCD) , begin in childhood, during the developmental period. Since it is a chronic condition, these difficulties can persist into adulthood.
Statistically, this condition is more common among boys than girls .
Your child may be at risk for dyspraxia if they have any of the following:
- If the baby was born prematurely , meaning before 37 weeks, this risk is especially high for babies born before 32 weeks.
- If the baby was born with a very low birth weight (less than 1.8 kg, or 4 pounds).
- If someone in the family has this developmental coordination disorder (DCD).
Generally speaking, it is said that about 6 out of 100 school-age children may have this condition, so it is not that rare.
What are the symptoms of a child with dyspraxia? How do you recognize it?
Dyspraxia can cause a variety of problems with coordination and motor skills. While many children show these symptoms by the time they start school, some children may not have the condition as severe as others, making it difficult to recognize.
Characteristics of young babies and young children (infancy and preschool age)
A child's developmental delay in doing certain things later than expected can be an early sign of dyspraxia in babies and young children. For example:
- It takes longer than other children to learn things like crawling, rolling over, sitting, standing, and walking.
Also, you can see things like this:
- It becomes difficult to play with toys that require good coordination, such as picking up cups or stacking blocks.
- It's a little difficult to learn to eat with cutlery, and the food spills.
Characteristics of slightly older children (school-age)
Symptoms of dyspraxia in older children may include:
- It's difficult to climb up and down the stairs.
- Difficulty maintaining balance - often bumping into things, falling down, and looking a bit "clumsy".
- Difficulty with sports and outdoor activities: Children are weaker than other children in things like riding a bike, jumping, catching a ball, throwing it, and kicking it. This difficulty may make them reluctant to participate in such activities. For example, does your child stand a little to the side while other children are running and playing on the playground at school? Does he fall quickly when running, or does he have trouble catching a ball?
- They show weaknesses compared to other children their age in tasks such as writing, drawing, coloring, and cutting with scissors . They have difficulty writing letters beautifully and write slowly.
- Daily tasks like getting dressed, buttoning up, brushing teeth, and tying shoelaces on your own are difficult and take a long time.
- Difficulty staying in one place, constant shaking of the limbs (restlessness).
Trying to do this can be very frustrating for a child. They may think, "Why can't I just do this?"
Important: Due to the discomfort and frustration of doing this kind of work, they may be a little reluctant to exercise and play. Therefore, there is sometimes a risk of weight gain or obesity .
What causes dyspraxia?
Coordinating our body's movements properly and performing a task is a very complex process. It involves many different parts of our brain and nerves. If there is a problem somewhere in this process, movement and coordination difficulties, or dyspraxia, can occur.
Researchers are still unable to pinpoint the exact cause of dyspraxia. However, as mentioned earlier, premature birth and low birth weight have been identified as two major factors that increase a child's risk of developing dyspraxia.
How is this condition of dyspraxia diagnosed? (Diagnosis)
Although the symptoms of dyspraxia, or developmental coordination disorder (DCD), are present from an early age, they can easily be missed. Because children develop at different rates, DCD is usually not diagnosed until around the age of 5.
Diagnosing dyspraxia requires a team of specialists . This team may include:
- Pediatrician
- Occupational Therapist or Physical Therapist
- Child Psychologist
- Pediatric Neurologist
There is currently no specific blood test or scan to confirm whether this is dyspraxia. Instead, the medical team will ask you detailed questions about your child's medical history, development, and symptoms. They will test your child's gross and fine motor skills, coordination, and balance. They will also check whether your child's mental abilities are at a level appropriate for their age.
Doctors also look for other causes of the child's movement difficulties. For example, they need to determine whether the difficulties are caused by other neurological or muscle-related conditions, such as cerebral palsy or muscular dystrophy.
To diagnose a child with dyspraxia, or developmental coordination disorder (DCD), all four of these symptoms must generally be present:
1. The child's motor skills must be significantly below the expected level for his or her age .
2. This lack of motor skills and coordination should affect the child's daily activities and schoolwork .
3. Symptoms of dyspraxia must have begun early in the child's development .
4. These movement difficulties must not be explained by another medical condition .
How is dyspraxia treated? How to manage this condition?
Unfortunately, there is currently no cure for dyspraxia, also known as developmental coordination disorder (DCD). However, there are various therapies that can help children and adults improve their motor skills and coordination. Occupational therapy and physical therapy are the main ones.
Because dyspraxia affects each child differently, it is best to individualize the treatment plan to the child. This will help manage the child's physical difficulties while also building their self-confidence.
One of the main therapeutic approaches that doctors use to help children with dyspraxia is task-oriented intervention . In this, the occupational therapist works with the child to identify specific tasks that are difficult for the child and helps them find ways to do those tasks more easily.
For example, an occupational therapist might break down a difficult task into smaller steps. Then, they practice each of those steps separately, and then put them together to complete the task. This is like breaking a large puzzle into smaller pieces, working on each piece separately, and then putting it all back together.
Sometimes, you can adapt tasks to make them easier to do. For example, using special grips to make pens and pencils easier to hold, or choosing clothes with larger buttons.
If my child has dyspraxia, what should I expect?
The first thing to remember is that not every child with dyspraxia is the same. That means it affects everyone differently. Therefore, the best way to know exactly how your child will be affected by the condition is to talk to doctors and therapists who specialize in diagnosing and treating dyspraxia.
There are several other conditions that can co-occur with or have similar symptoms to dyspraxia. Some of them include:
- Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD): About half of children with dyspraxia may also have ADHD .
- Language difficulties: Difficulty speaking, expressing ideas, and understanding language.
- Dysgraphia: A specific difficulty with writing.
- Mental health problems: For example, anxiety and depression.
- Autism Spectrum Disorder.
If your child is showing symptoms of other conditions like these, it is very important to get an accurate diagnosis and receive the necessary treatment.
How do I care for my child with dyspraxia? What can I do?
One of the most important things you can do as a parent is to be an advocate for your child. That means understanding the challenges your child faces and letting them know that you support them at home, at school, and as they grow up.
If your child needs special educational support at school, you can work with relevant professionals to develop an Individualized Education Program (IEP) that is tailored to your child . This will help your child with schoolwork.
When should my child see a doctor about dyspraxia?
A child with dyspraxia may need some support throughout their life to overcome difficulties with motor skills and coordination. If you notice that your child is having difficulty with a new motor task, for example, when starting to write or learning to drive a car, talk to their doctor and/or occupational therapist.
These children may understand how to throw a ball, but they may become frustrated when they are unable to do it correctly. Therefore, managing this condition can often be a long-term process . Your support and encouragement in your child's daily efforts to improve their motor skills is invaluable. Praise them when they show even small improvements.
Final Take-Home Message
- Dyspraxia is not just a child's laziness or just a clumsiness. It is a real medical condition.
- Early identification and provision of necessary support and therapy go a long way in helping the child successfully cope with these challenges.
- With the right help and encouragement, children with dyspraxia can manage their difficulties and live happy, successful lives.
- The most important thing is to be patient, understanding, and supportive with your child. Every child is different, and everyone's journey is different. Your love and support will be a great strength to them.
If you have any further questions about this, don't be shy and ask a doctor or a qualified therapist.
` Dyspraxia, Developmental Coordination Disorder, Movement Skills, Child Development, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, Learning Difficulties
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