Dyspraxia

Developmental Dyspraxia (also known as Developmental Co-ordination Disorder or Clumsy Child Syndrome) is a learning difficulty or more technically, a neurologically based disorder. The processes involved in praxis or planning of movement to achieve a purpose are affected. This has an impact on the acquisition of new skills and the execution of those already learnt. Dyspraxia may affect any or all areas of development – physical, intellectual, emotional, social, language and sensory. It affects each person differently and at different stages, to varying degrees. It is a hidden handicap, because under normal circumstances children with Dyspraxia may appear no different from their peers.

The Word Health Organisation estimates that dyspraxia affects 6% of all children, while other estimates have been between 10-20%. As yet insufficient studies have been undertaken to confirm figures.

Causes:

Developmental dyspraxia occurs from birth or an early age, and there may be an inherited tendency towards similar neurological disorders. In older years it can be acquired through damage to the brain such as stroke or accident.