Dyspraxia
Dyspraxia is the common name for Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD).
DCD is a neuro-developmental disorder, likely caused by irregularity in the developing brain. 1 in 20 children are affected, but many remain undiagnosed. Kids Power OT is registered with The Dyspraxia Association Of Ireland.
Assessment
Kids Power OT is able to provide you with a definite diagnosis of Dyspraxia/ DCD. This may involve a range of standardized and non-standardised assessments, clinical observations and questionnaires. A comprehensive assessment report will be written. Your child can then be booked in for intervention sessions if recommended by the therapist.
Contact us by email: info@kidspowerot.ie to arrange an appointment.
Intervention
Therapy sessions are 45 minutes long. Depending on your child’s treatment plan the therapist will recommend either weekly or fortnightly sessions. Goals are set in collaboration with the therapist and family. Individual therapy involves working directly with your child on activities that are fun and that build the confidence and skills of your child.
What is Dyspraxia?
Dyspraxia, a form of developmental coordination disorder (DCD) is a common disorder affecting fine and/or gross motor coordination in children and adults. It may also affect speech. DCD is a lifelong condition, formally recognised by international organisations including the World Health Organisation.
An individual’s coordination difficulties may affect participation and functioning of everyday life skills in education, work and employment. Children may present with difficulties with self-care, writing, typing, riding a bike and play as well as other educational and recreational activities. In adulthood, many of these difficulties will continue, as well as learning new skills at home, in education and work, such as driving a car and DIY.
There may be a range of co-occurring difficulties which can also have serious negative impacts on daily life. These include social and emotional difficulties as well as problems with time management, planning and personal organisation, and these may also affect an adult’s education or employment experiences.
Many people with DCD also experience difficulties with memory, perception and processing. While DCD is often regarded as an umbrella term to cover motor coordination difficulties, dyspraxia refers to those people who have additional problems planning, organising and carrying out movements in the right order in everyday situations. Dyspraxia can also affect articulation and speech, perception and thought.
A recent review by the European Academy of Childhood Disability determined that approximately 5-6% of school-age children are affected. Boys are more commonly affected than girls, though the ratio varies considerably from study to study – some suggest twice as many boys are affected while others say the ratio is closer to 7 boys for every girl. Though historically, some professionals dismissed the disorder as simply clumsiness that will be outgrown, the review by the Academy determined that between 50-70% of children fail to outgrow the disorder.
Useful Links:
www.movementmattersuk.org
www.dyspraxiaireland.com/
www.dyspraxiafoundation.org.uk
http://dyspraxiakidsaustralia.org.au/