DYSPRAXIA- COORDINATION DIFFICULITES
Individuals with dyspraxia often have language problems, and sometimes a degree of difficulty with thought and perception. Dyspraxia, however, does not affect the person's intelligence, although it can cause learning problems in children.
Developmental dyspraxia is an immaturity of the organization of movement. The brain does not process information in a way that allows for a full transmission of neural messages. A person with dyspraxia finds it difficult to plan what to do, and how to do it.
Individuals with dyspraxia may have difficulties in planning and completing fine motor tasks.
Without intervention children with dyspraxia may experience the following difficulties as they move into higher learning.
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Finding it difficult to keep friends
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Poor social behaviour and inappropriate response when in the company of others
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Hesitant in most actions and may appear delayed in reaction time.
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Incorrect pencil grip
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Concept word development such as in, out, in front of are hard to handle automatically.
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Tries to avoid sports and PE
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Learns well on a one-on-one basis, but nowhere near as well in class with other kids around
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Reacts to all stimuli equally (not filtering out irrelevant stimuli automatically)
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Mathematics and writing are difficult
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Spends a long time getting writing done
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Does not follow instructions
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Does not remember instructions
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Is disorganised.
In Early childhood, children may exhibit some or all of the following indicators.
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Problems performing subtle movements, such as buckles and zips, using cutlery, emergent writing.
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Many will have difficulties getting dressed (buttons and motor planning, body and spatial awareness).
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Problems carrying out pre sport activities, including ball and beanbag skills, motor planning and perceptual motor planning including gross and fine motor planning and skill development.
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Challenges with classroom movements, such as using scissors, coloring, drawing, and puzzles.
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Challenges with processing of thoughts and following instructions.
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Challenges in the playground and poor socialisation and interaction with peers.
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Children may exhibit excessive movement and difficulty in sitting still with obvious and constant fidgeting
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Children may have developmental difficulties that affect a childs ability to accomplish some skills like going up and down stairs, a higher tendency to bump into things and fall over, the “clumsy” child that may drop things or appear to have upper body weakness.
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Difficulty in learning new skills - while other children may do this automatically, a child with dyspraxia takes longer. Encouragement and practice help enormously.
In time a childs self esteem and behavioural responses my be affected. An older child may experience mood swings and display anti social behaviour.