Before we get into the symptoms of dyspraxia, let’s define dyspraxia.
Dyspraxia, also known as Developmental coordination disorder (DCD), is a condition that affects a person’s physical coordination. It causes children to perform poorly in daily activities appropriate for their age. This condition causes problems organising and directing the body to perform motor skills such as movement that are required to properly carry out the steps that are required to ensure that a task is completed well. To carry out an activity, the brain must receive and register sensory information from the environment as well as from one’s own body (e.g., tactile (touch), kinesthetic (body position awareness), Vestibular (balance awareness) and visual data). The brain must then process and interpret this information to facilitate a proper response, which includes interacting with the surroundings, planning the necessary steps to movement, and finally conducting the performance.
Some of these conditions may become apparent at a young age, while others may become apparent later in life, as it is common for children to be clumsy. Dyspraxia affects movement, coordination, judgement, processing, memory, and some cognitive skills in children.
Symptoms in Babies:
- A baby with Dyspraxia may experience developmental delays, including lifting their head, rolling over, or even sitting up.
- Other signs and symptoms include:
- Unusual body position
- Generally very irritable
- Sensitivity to loud noises
- Problems with feeding and sleeping
- High level of movements in arms and legs
Symptoms of Dyspraxia in Toddlers:
- Having difficulties with crawling
- Delay in walking
- Delay in potty training
- Unable to self feed
- Unable to self dress
Symptoms of Dyspraxia in Children:
- Difficulty in participating in Physical education lessons
- Dressing up slower than others and unable to tie shoelaces
- Unable to have legible handwriting
- Bad at drawing and poor copying skills
- Limited concentration and poor listening skills
- Unable to remember instructions properly
- Slow at completing any task
- Continued at high levels of motor activity
- Easily gets distressed and emotional
- Inability to befriend other children
- Difficulty in coordination
- Sleeping difficulties: sleepless nights and night terrors
- Possible physical symptoms like migraine, headaches and generally feeling sick
- Attentiveness in school is very poor
Dyspraxia is a developmental coordination disorder that shouldn’t be confused with an intellectual disorder. This condition often affects the fine motor skills and cognitive function of kids that have average or above-average intelligence. Although there is no cure for Dyspraxia it can be successfully managed with the right therapy and guidance.
Empowerkidz helps children that suffer from Dyspraxia to improve their organizational and motor skills by using a variety of different learning methods and approaches.
Contact Dr. Anupma Sethi at +1-669-900-2315 today to find out more about how you can help change your child’s life.
Also Read:
1) Symptoms of ADHD in Children, We Should Keep a Lookout for.
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