All About Dyspraxia
Developmental Dyspraxia is a disorder that affects the organization and movement of physical action. Many doctors say it is in relation to the brain’s development and how it interprets normal motions. For some reason, the brain does not transmit normal function to the body, and therefore the message of movement gets confused or displaced. Coordinated movement is very difficult for people who suffer from this disorder. It is linked with neuron development in the brain, and is sometimes difficult to diagnose. Some doctors may misdiagnose the disorder and interpret it as Parkinson’s or muscular dystrophy.
There are many different problems caused by this developmental dyspraxia. These can include:
- Difficulty communicating and pronouncing words
- Trouble putting words into complete sentences
- Low level of hand-eye coordination
- Trouble with writing, holding pens or pencils
- Feeding problems in younger children
- Poor balance
- Extreme sensitivity to light, heat, or cold
For more information on some of the symptoms of development dyspraxia and where to find help, refer to the following links:
Developmental dyspraxia can effect babies, children, and adults, although the problems and symptoms can differ. For babies, they may be irritable, and little comforts them which can cause many parents to think their baby has colic. Other symptoms for babies include unstable sleeping patterns, high sensitivity to light and noise, and a swaying motion from side to side but the child does not learn how to crawl within a certain amount of time. For young children, the symptoms can include temper tantrums, fast, repetitive motions of the feet, legs, and arms, bumping into objects, and messy eating habits. Cognitive learning can also seem impaired. Adults’ symptoms can be much different than those of children’s. For them, problems like difficulty riding a bike, driving a car, or dancing. Other symptoms include a tendency to trip and fall, poor memory, and being slow to finish tasks.
While there is not one definitive form of treatment, cognitive therapy and symptomatic treatment can help. Trying to teach motor skills and coordination to children at a young age can help prevent the disorder from getting worse. Speech therapy can also help. There are currently clinical trials available worldwide for various forms of treatment. Support groups provide help to parents and adults who have developmental dyspraxia. While it is a lifelong disorder, therapy and help can make it less difficult to deal with.