- Dyspraxia most often occurs in children
- Causes of dyspraxia
- Symptoms of dyspraxia
- Diagnosis of dyspraxia
- Treatment of dyspraxia
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Dyspraxia (Clumsy Childhood Syndrome) is seen as a limitation in the skills of sensory organization. It is a perceptual-motor dysfunction which manifests itself in developmental disorders. And while it may seem that the child is clumsy and does not pay much attention to the activity being performed, perhaps the truth is different and the child suffers from developmental dyspraxia.
Dyspraxiais a disorder that manifests itself in difficulties in performing sequential tasks, planning, problems with concentration, processing stimuli, and remembering. It also manifests itself with learning difficulties. Developmental dyspraxia is the disruption of integration processes between the centers of the nervous system. It may result from a malfunction of mirror neurons, damage to the central nervous system, as well as damage to the left hemisphere of the brain.
Dyspraxia most often occurs in children
Very often, dyspraxia is called clumsy child syndrome or minimal brain dysfunction. Although it has been accepted that developmental dyspraxia affects only children, it is sometimes also diagnosed in adults (then it is referred to as apraction, i.e. the advanced form of dyspraxia).
In this case, we observe a complete loss of acquired skills, and not difficulties or disturbances in functioning.
About 5-10 percent struggle with dyspraxia. people, but it is more common in boys than in girls.
Causes of dyspraxia
Dyspraxia, being a neurological disorder, does not affect a person's intelligence. However, it causes difficulties in gaining knowledge. Although it is difficult to determine the unequivocal cause of developmental dyspraxia, the most common factors that influence its appearance include:
- direct damage to the central nervous system (especially the motor nerves),
- disturbances in the integration of tactile sensory processes and deep feeling in the brain centers responsible for motor planning,
- pathological changes in the brain,
- oxygen deficits,
- abnormal development of the fetus,
- perinatal hypoxia.
Symptoms of dyspraxia
Developmental dyspraxia has many features and symptoms that may indicate the presence of a disorder. Symptoms that vary independing on age, they are manifested in development zones:
- physical,
- emotional,
- social,
- educational,
- language.
These include:
- imbalance - a problem with jumping on one leg or catching the ball.
- delayed motor development - difficulties with brushing teeth, tying shoes, closing zippers, fastening buttons,
- muscle weakness - stumbling, falling, hitting people,
- difficulties in coloring, drawing, writing. Slower learning,
- problems remembering simple things, e.g. names,
- problems with concentration,
- reluctance to perform manual tasks,
- difficulties with making noises, imitating,
- time and distance perception disorders,
- spatial orientation disorders,
- problems with controlling emotions, often accompanied by crying and anger,
- no own opinion,
- no organization,
- forgetfulness,
- constantly losing things.
Although it often seems that the child is lazy, clumsy and does not pay much attention to activities, he may actually be struggling with a serious ailment.
Diagnosis of dyspraxia
One of the first and most important steps is to get diagnosed with dyspraxia. Initially, features of insufficient maturity of the nervous system can be detected by a pediatrician or a neurologist.
The next stage is the assessment of disturbances in the processes of sensory integration. In this case, the diagnosis is made by a qualified SI therapist who, using several tools, can make the diagnosis.
Usually it is based on clinical observation and functional tests - assessment of tactile function and proprioception (deep feeling, sense of the body in space), and an interview with parents, family and teachers.
If your child is suspected of having dyspraxia, it is advisable to consult a child psychologist, speech therapist, ophthalmologist, physiotherapist and audiologist (the person who performs the hearing test and selects the hearing aid).
It is very important that people with symptoms of dyspraxia are looked after by specialists as soon as possible. Only then will they have a chance to catch up.
Treatment of dyspraxia
Although dyspraxia, which is a neurological disorder, cannot be cured, early diagnosis and appropriate therapy will help to inhibit and limit the progression of the disorder. Therapy, which also involves the family, requires the work of several specialists, i.e.
- speech therapists,
- physiotherapist,
- child psychologist,
- educator.
The therapy consists in all kinds of physical activity - playing sports, playing games and educational games. There are many exercises to improve your baby's coordination and mobility. It is important to encourage your child to do several things at once, such as standing on one leg and brushing their teeth.
Choreotherapy, i.e. therapy that uses dance and music therapy, turns out to be very helpful. We should take a child with dyspraxia regularly to the swimming pool and rehabilitation classes. Social skills, making and maintaining new contacts should be exercised. It is worth enrolling your toddler to art, technical or computer classes.
In addition, the treatment of dyspraxia also includes a balanced diet rich in unsaturated fatty acids, which have a beneficial effect on the functioning of the nervous system. Additionally, they support the growth and maturation of neurons.
Communication between parents and teachers, who exchange information on the shortcomings or progress in their child's development on an ongoing basis, is extremely important. Parents, at every stage of development, should provide their child with a sense of security and support.
Sometimes a child's developmental disturbance is a very difficult experience for parents. In this case, it is worth asking a psychologist for help. It is very important that parents do not feel lonely and left with a problem.