Tests for Dyspraxia

What is Dyspraxia?

Dyspraxia is a neurological disorder that affects motor skills and coordination. It may cause problems with handwriting, speech, and social interactions.

Dyspraxia has become increasingly common over the past few years due to increased awareness and diagnosis. But many parents aren't aware of dyspraxia until their child starts school. This means that children who suffer from dyspraxia often miss out on important opportunities because they struggle to communicate effectively.

If you have a child with dyspraxia in your class, you know how frustrating it is to watch them struggle to write letters, read books, and interact socially. In this post, we'll talk about dyspraxia and why it deserves our full attention. We'll also look at some of the most effective tips to help children overcome dyspraxia and get back on track.

Learning difficulties are complex and widespread. More individuals are now aware of the requirements of children who require special educational needs. Inclusion education is currently sweeping the globe, with a particular focus on integrating children with special educational needs in the school environment.

Everyone deserves equal access to education. Like our children, we all had challenges to overcome. recognising and being able to handle the challenges is what matters.

This guide will discover more about dyspraxia as a learning disability and what tests are available to diagnose it.

Together, we will explore more about dyspraxia, including its symptoms, causes, treatments, and methods of diagnosis.

We hope that by the time you finish reading this article, we will have been able to address as many of your concerns regarding working with and managing students with dyspraxia.

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Spotting signs of Dyspraxia 

Dyspraxia is another term for "Developmental Co-ordination Disorder." It is a movement disorder that causes problems with coordination and movement. It influences both fine and gross motor skills in children.

Developmental coordination disorder primarily affects the child's motor skills and coordination rather than his or her intelligence (IQ).

Movement difficulties may have an impact on daily activities and everyday tasks that the person is required to perform. A person with dyspraxia may have difficulty performing care skills tasks such as brushing their teeth. They may struggle with driving skills or ball skills like catching or throwing a ball. They may also have handwriting difficulties. DCD is a motor disorder that affects approximately 5% to 6% of school-age children

It usually occurs when there is a lack of coordination or a lack of motor skills. 

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What are the common Symptoms of Dyspraxia?

Early diagnosis of any developmental disability in children can lead to early intervention. Setting up an early intervention programme will assist in supporting and improving the child's life.

This section will review the symptoms that may appear as a warning sign that the child has dyspraxia.

Symptoms of Dyspraxia in Children

• Uncommon body positions
• Lack of energy in general
• Loud noise sensitivity
• Feeding and sleeping issues
• A high degree of arm and leg movement

You might notice developmental delays as the child gets older in the following areas:

• Crawling
• Potty training
• Self-feeding
• Self-dressing

People with dyspraxia may find it difficult to control and plan their bodily actions. For example, a child would desire to move across the room holding their school textbooks, clothes, toys, etc. However, they are unable to accomplish so without falling, stumbling, or dropping the items they are holding.



Other symptoms of Dyspraxia can be:

• A lack of fine motor skills that affects writing, artwork, and playing with blocks and puzzles
• Difficulties with coordination that make it challenging to hop, skip, jump, or catch a ball
• Disorganised way of eating and drinking
• Being less physically active because they avoid physical activities
• Temper meltdowns

As previously said, dyspraxia does not impact the child's Intellectual ability, but it does cause learning difficulties and social skills difficulties because of:

• Difficulties in short attention span for challenging tasks.
• Difficulty understanding or recalling instructions
• Difficulties acquiring new talents 
• A poor sense of self-esteem
• Inability to make friends

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What tests are available for Dyspraxia?

Dyspraxia is not curable, but it is manageable. The goal is to assist the individual in learning how to manage their issues and live a normal life as much as possible.

A diagnosis might assist a kid in receiving the assistance and assistance he or she requires. This can improve their quality of life while also increasing their self-esteem.

As a parent, you should consult your GP if you have any concerns about your child's development. Then, if necessary, they will send you to see other experts, such as:

• Paediatrician
• Educational psychologist
• Occupational therapist
• Physiotherapist
• Speech and language therapist

There are various tests available for dyspraxia, including:

• Movement ABC
• Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency (BOT-2)
• Beery-Buktenica Developmental Test of Visual-Motor Integration (VMI)

These tests can determine whether a child has dyspraxia and the severity of their condition. Note that dyspraxia can affect individuals differently. Some people may only have minor symptoms, whereas others may have more severe symptoms. The earlier dyspraxia is detected and treated, the better the outcome for the child.

There is no single test for dyspraxia. A team of experts will normally assess the child using a number of different tests. These tests will assess the child's motor skills, balance, coordination, and sensory processing abilities.

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Movement ABC

The Movement Assessment Battery for Children (Movement ABC) is a standardised assessment used to identify and describe impairments in motor performance in children and young people, aged 3 to 16 years. It's used by educational psychologists and occupational therapists to assess a child's movement skills.

The test involves a series of tasks that assess a child's manual dexterity, ball skills, and static and dynamic balance. The results can help identify children who may have DCD and inform intervention strategies.

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Treatments for Dyspraxia

Although there is no cure for dyspraxia, a variety of therapies and treatments can help children manage their symptoms and improve their quality of life.

Some of the most common treatments for dyspraxia include:

• Occupational therapy to help children improve their fine motor skills, such as handwriting and using utensils
• Physical therapy to help children improve their gross motor skills, such as running and jumping
• Speech therapy to help children improve their speech and language skills
• Educational support to help children succeed in school

In addition to these therapies, there are a number of things that parents and educators can do to help children with dyspraxia. These include:

• Providing a supportive and understanding environment
• Breaking down tasks into smaller, more manageable steps
• Giving children plenty of time to complete tasks
• Providing positive reinforcement and encouragement
• Working with therapists and educators to develop a comprehensive treatment plan

With the correct support and treatment, children with dyspraxia can live full and productive lives.

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Conclusion

Dyspraxia can present significant challenges for children in the classroom, impacting their ability to perform everyday tasks and participate fully in learning. However, with increased awareness and early intervention, we can create a more supportive and inclusive environment for these students.

By understanding the signs and symptoms of dyspraxia, and by utilising available tests and treatments, educators and parents can work together to help children with dyspraxia overcome their challenges and reach their full potential. Remember that patience, understanding, and tailored support are key to developing their confidence and enabling their success.

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Further Reading

• Zwicker, J. G., Missiuna, C., Harris, S. R., & Boyd, L. A. (2012). Brain activation of children with developmental coordination disorder: a systematic review of fMRI literature. *International Journal of Developmental Neuroscience, 30*(2), 73-84.
• Blank, R., Barnett, A. L., Cairney, J., Green, D., Kirby, A., Magill-Evans, J., . & Wilson, P. (2019). European Academy for Childhood Disability international consensus: Conceptual definition, assessment, and treatment of developmental coordination disorder. *Developmental Medicine & Child Neurology, 61*(3), 242-255.
• Kirby, A., Edwards, L., Sugden, N., & Rosenblum, S. (2008). DCDQ’07: Diagnostic validity of a new questionnaire for identifying children with developmental coordination disorder. *Child: Care, Health and Development, 34*(4), 479-489.