Dyspraxia Through the Ages (True Colours) Tall order to fit a lifetime of dyspraxia into a presentation so this is a whistle stop tour. I asked our members/supporters for their thoughts so that I could represent them. The DF is proud to represent. Tue colours because we are continually trying to mould them into something acceptable’ ‘normal’ . However their true colours are breathtakingly beautifully if we take the time to look. Mention the trip trap chair. Some of this will be about sign posting you to other places/people/info

What is dyspraxia/DCD Common disorder of childhood affecting fine and/or gross motor coordination in children and adults. It is a lifelong condition and is formally recognised by international organisations including the World Health Organisation. Its all about movement……. It is a lifestyle not a problem. It becomes a problem when we make it so. People do not suffer from dyspraxia, they suffer from others reaction to it. Different degrees of severity. Not a homogenous group.

Co ordination= the ability to use different parts of the body together smoothly and efficiently. We are MOVEMENT It is what allows us to ‘be’. Mention perception. Activity next.

Perceptual challenges. Perception requires good communication between the eye and the brain. It also relies on experience. Exellent chapter in Dyspraxia the Foundations by Keith Holland.

Causes are unknown. Some irregularity in the way messages from the brain are transmitted throughout the body. Predisposition is likely on anecdotal evidence. Research just isn’t there. Consider the diagram and the effort/energy required to walk through life in such a disorganised and complex way. I am not trying to make people feel sorry for those with the condition, I want people to feel WITH them. To consider the hard work, to consider the ‘put downs’, how it feel sto be slightly out of step.

Co existing conditions. The norm rather than the exception. He term Neurodiversity is becoming more commonly accepted. It encourages people to view neurological differences such as autism, dyslexia and dyspraxia as a natural and normal variation of the human genome and to move away from the culturally entrenched negativity surrounding those that live, learn and view the world differently. For too long, we’ve assumed that there is a single template for human nature, which is why we diagnose most deviations as disorders. But the reality is that there are many different kinds of minds. And that is a very good thing. Jonah Lehrer

In Infancy Gross motor Skills Reasonable adjustments Watch your language. Catch them ‘being good.’ The ‘just right’ challenge. Look for strengths. Velcro ‘sensible clothing/colour match. Don’t tut. Goals need to be simple, straightforward and available to see. E book Dyspraxia the Foundations. Avoid idioms. Allow think time.

Primary school. Self esteem can be battered. Be prepared Timetables. Routine Break down tasks Reduce distractions Use interests. Multi sensory Writing aids/position. Low self esteem=low motivation. See our guidleines.

Secondary school Give more time. Patience. Augmentative technology Structure Small adjustments Buddy scheme. Organisational help. Touch typing Plan ahead. Small adjustments such as a quiet space to study, matter. Believing is the key. Acknowledgement and acceptance. See our Guidelines. Fact sheet available re help/entitlement in exams.

The lived experience https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e6KtWrO5HAI These s a short video made by members of te Dyspraxia foundation Youth Group.

To summarise. The world is a tough and often unstable place for those with Dyspraxia/DCD. Don’t spend so much time trying to get them to fit in. Instead let them STAND OUT. Focus on strengths. Learn and empathise. It does not go away. Needs change with time. Predominant features change with age/experience/ practice. Having livedsteeped in the world of dyspraxia I wish I could let everyone into my head for a while because once you understand how difficult life is, you can adjust your expectations to enable self esteem to remain buoyant and for life to be ‘productive’. Seek and accept help and support. Read and learn. Listen to the person WITH dyspraxia. They are the experts at being them.