Define Dyspraxia

Dyspraxia is a type of brain disorganization in which abnormal neural communication causes poor motor coordination. In simple terms, a person who has dyspraxia finds it hard to organize his or her movement.

Symptoms

• Someone with dyspraxia has trouble with both large muscles and small muscles. He or she may find it hard to walk, jump and skip; or it may be a challenge for him or her to write, zip or button. Dyspraxia only affects movement---the disorder does not limit intelligence.

History

• The condition is not new. It has been diagnosed for over a century. In the past, dyspraxia has been called "Clumsy Child Syndrome" and "Minimal Brain Dysfunction."

Course

• Dyspraxia is a lifelong condition. However, professional occupational or speech and language therapists are able to minimize symptoms of the disorder.

Considerations

• More males than females have dyspraxia. Those with the condition may also have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), Asperger syndrome or a learning disability.

Fact

• In the United States and Europe, developmental dyspraxia is most often referred to as developmental coordination disorder (DCD). The World Health Organization (WHO) lists the condition as Specific Developmental Disorder of Motor Function.