Dyspraxia can be linked to Autism, and like many lifelong conditions, it’s often hidden. Because of this, people don’t always take it seriously. Dyspraxia can easily be misunderstood. For example, someone might spill a drink or knock something over and be seen as careless or clumsy — but there’s often a deeper reason behind it.
People with dyspraxia need understanding and support. Unless someone knows the person well — like family or close friends — it may not be obvious what they're going through. Dyspraxia is caused by differences in how the brain processes movements. Sometimes it results from a brain injury or stroke. It’s a bit like having a mild stroke where one side of the body and brain may be weaker.
In my case, it’s the left side that’s affected. For others, it might be the right side. This can make everyday physical tasks more difficult or slower. Things like sewing, sport, cooking, housework, even shopping, lifting, brushing teeth, tying shoelaces, and more can become a challenge.
Physical Challenges and Everyday Life
Dyspraxia affects balance, grip, and coordination. For example, I may only be able to carry one drink at a time because my one side is stronger than the other. This can also impact my ability to ride a bike, drive, or cross roads safely.
The earlier someone gets support like physiotherapy, occupational therapy, or muscle exercises, the better. Dyspraxia doesn’t stop someone from living independently or learning, but it may mean they take longer or need different approaches.
Mental and Learning Challenges
Mentally, dyspraxia can affect reading and writing, much like dyslexia. It may also link to dyscalculia (math difficulties) and dysgraphia (difficulty with handwriting). Here's more information:
People with dyspraxia are often creative and unique in their ways of thinking and problem-solving. But it’s important to understand that dyspraxia varies from person to person. No two people are exactly the same.
Types of Dyspraxia
There are different forms of dyspraxia:
-
Motor Dyspraxia – affects movement and coordination (e.g. dressing, chopping vegetables).
-
Verbal Dyspraxia – affects speech, such as speaking too loudly or quietly, or stuttering.
-
Oral Dyspraxia – affects mouth and tongue movements, which can make brushing teeth or eating tricky.
Useful links:
Thanks to better tools today, like electric toothbrushes and water picks, oral hygiene has become more manageable for many of us. I remember getting my first electric toothbrush on my 21st birthday — over 30 years ago!
My Personal Health Journey
Around the age of 4–7, my mum noticed a small lump on my neck. It didn’t bother me, and the GP at the time said to leave it. Years later, at 23, while working in an elderly care home, I started having difficulty swallowing. The lump had grown.
I was living in Oswestry, Shropshire at the time and sharing a flat with other young people with learning disabilities. One of our support workers took me to the GP again. It was 1992, and I had my first operation on December 6th.
The lump turned out to be cancerous, though it hadn’t spread. I needed to have lymph glands removed and underwent 15 days of radiotherapy. The treatment made me feel worse than the illness itself — but thankfully, I recovered.
Since then, I’ve had some trouble with food and drink occasionally going the wrong way due to scarring. It’s not every time, but sometimes I cough or choke while eating or drinking.
Ben’s Story
Take Ben, a 7-year-old diagnosed by an Occupational Therapist. His report showed that he struggled with tasks like doing up buttons and tying shoelaces. This is a typical example of how dyspraxia can affect children’s physical coordination.
Professional Life and Raising Awareness
I’ve worked at the University of Wolverhampton for over eleven years, lecturing professionals like nurses, social workers, paramedics, and OTs. I’ve helped raise awareness of learning disabilities and hidden conditions like dyspraxia.
What Dyspraxia Is and Isn’t
Dyspraxia isn’t an illness or disease — it’s a hidden, long-term physical learning difficulty. It may affect mental health too, due to the challenges and misunderstandings people face. But just because someone can walk and talk doesn’t mean they aren’t struggling in other ways.
I’ve lived with dyspraxia for 55 years — since birth. Back then, we didn’t know much about it. I was born very quickly and may have had a lack of oxygen to the brain. I was hyperactive and had epilepsy as a child, which returned when I was 31 and stopped when I was 43. I’ve always been lucky to have family support.
I strongly believe that early assessment and diagnosis are important so people can get the right help early on. But even later in life, understanding and support still make a huge difference.
Everyday Challenges and Emotional Impact
Tasks like doing up zips, dressing, or looking after a baby can be exhausting and frustrating. These physical struggles often lead to anxiety, which many people don’t see because dyspraxia is hidden.
No comments:
Post a Comment