&
 
 
   
       "Everybody is different -
     that is the joy of humanity"
   
   

What is dyspraxia?

Dyspraxia is an impairment or an immaturity in the organisation of movement that results in difficulty understanding what to do and how to do it. Due to these specific difficulties, additional focus has to be on movement, balance and motor tasks.
 
   
         
   
   
     
         
   


The word dyspraxia comes from the Greek words 'dys' meaning difficulty and 'praxis' meaning acting or doing.

Possible Difficulties.

· Large motor movement such as walking and balance.

· Small movement skills such as writing.

· Speech, perhaps with pronunciation difficulties.

· Social interaction and communication skills.

· Visual problems like tracking text.

· Heightened sensitivity to sound, light, or touch.

· People with dyspraxia may share problems with those with dyslexia in organisation, memory, sequencing, concentration and time management.


Potential Strengths.

· Persistence and determination.

· Extremely hard working.

· Good auditory skills which may include ability to learn languages and music.

· Creativity - photography, lyrical writing and poetry.

· Sensitivity and empathy.

· Often verbally adept in maturity.

People with dyspraxia are often creative this may include writing skills or poetry. When a person with dyspraxia decides to do something they are often very focussed and extremely hardworking. In our experience they may be perceptive, sensitive, extremely compassionate and kind.

     
     

"The children see what Bailey has done through his endeavour, and they realise their difficulties don't really matter."
Catherine Bailey speaking of her successful photographer husband David Bailey, in You magazine November 2000.
     
     

You may think that the description above matches you, or someone you are close to. You can try our to see if that helps to clarify your thoughts. You should look at the section on which describes the steps you might follow to confirm suspicions.
If you already have an assessment it may be you are concerned about telling others - see the section on for why this could be a good step.

For sources of more information on dyspraxia look on our and .