How to spot tell-tale signs of dyspraxia in your child
As An MP VOICES fears Children with dyspraxia will be left behind At school, these ARE SOME Of the signs to watch Out for. by Lisa salmon
Tom Hunt, the mp for Ipswich, has spoken about living with dyspraxia – and his fears that children living with the condition aren’t getting enough help in school.
He was diagnosed with dyspraxia and dyslexia when he was 12 years old, and told GB news it was his “burning passion” to make sure children with the conditions are given the educational opportunities and support they need to achieve their full potential.
“I would say that I was incredibly fortunate to be in a position where I had the support that I had. I was at an independent school, and half the reason my dad fought to keep me there was because he felt I needed that additional support,” he said.
“So, my fear is that – and for me it was touch and go, I mean, I could have not got anywhere near to where I ended up going to academically – but my fear is that perhaps, I was looking at young people with disabilities that I had. maybe I was one in 10 who was able to get through it.
“So, my passion is to try and make sure that all ‘Toms’ with those disabilities, regardless of their family circumstances, are given the educational opportunities and support that they need to achieve their full potential.”
Dyspraxia is a developmental coordination disorder (DCD) affecting physical coordination in around 5% of children, compared with the 1-2% of children who have an autism spectrum disorder, and 3-5% of children with ADHD.
But although dyspraxia is quite common, and famous faces like Daniel Radcliffe and Cara Delevingne have spoken about having the condition, people don’t generally know much about it. This could be because it’s a hidden disability – it doesn’t have any obvious physical indications, but it still affects the way children and adults function and participate in everyday life.
The Dyspraxia Foundation (dyspraxiafoundation.org.uk) says the condition can affect gross motor coordination – including large body movements such as balance and posture – and fine motor skills, allowing us to grip and handle objects like pencils and cutlery. It can also impact speech and executive functions such as memory, atten tion, time management and organisational skills.
“Dyspraxia affects all aspects of a person’s life at home, school and elsewhere,” stresses Dyspraxia Foundation trustee Sally Payne, chair of the charity’s medical panel.
Dyspraxia is a lifelong condition more common in boys than girls, and it may run in families. Children tend to be diagnosed around seven years old, with Sally explaining: “This is when the gap between children’s practical performance and their potential (personal and academic) become more apparent.
“We see children struggling with handwriting and in PE, and having difficulty keeping track of their ‘things’. Young people say it’s hard to ‘get down on paper what they really want to say’ because they write slowly, take longer to process
instructions or are easily distracted. As a result, there’s a real risk dyspraxic children will underachieve academically, which can affect their future employment, economic prospects and mental health.”
Sally says around half of dyspraxic children will have another diagnosis, such as dyslexia or ADHD, and emphasises it’s important all diagnoses are recognised so that children get the help and support they need to fulfil their potential.
She adds: “Our vision is a world in which dyspraxia is understood and accepted, and where it’s not a barrier to opportunity and fulfilment.”
If you think your child may have dyspraxia, talk to your GP, health visitor or school special needs coordinator, who can make referrals for an assessment.