What is Dyspraxia?

Dyspraxia which is also known as Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) is a disorder that affects motor skill development and coordination. People with Dyspraxia have trouble planning and completing fine motor tasks.

This can vary from simple motor tasks such as waving goodbye to more complex tasks like building a block model or brushing teeth. It is not a learning disability but it often coexists with other learning disabilities and conditions that impact learning.

Many children show lags in development from time to time but Dyspraxia does not outgrow. It is fairly consistent throughout development. Dyspraxia is usually identified in school-age children, but early signs of the disorder can often be detected in preschoolers as well.

What causes Dyspraxia?

The cause of developmental co-ordination disorder (DCD) is unknown, although it is thought to be caused by a problem in the development of the brain.

Performing smooth, planned movements is a complex process that involves your senses, muscles, and central nervous system (brain, nerves, and spinal cord). Any problem in this process could potentially lead to difficulties with movement and co-ordination.

Although it is not known exactly what causes DCD, there is an observed link between DCD and:

• being born prematurely (before the 37th week of pregnancy)
• having a family history of DCD, although it is not clear exactly which genes may be involved in the condition
• being born with a low birth weight
• the mother drinking alcohol or taking illegal drugs while pregnant

Signs and symptoms

• Poor motor skills even when doing something as simple as brushing teeth.
• Your child knows what words to use but can’t get the right “mouth muscles” to cooperate when speaking
• Your child tends to bump into things or people
• Your child has a weak hand grip when grabbing objects or holding objects without dropping them.
• Difficulty in keeping balance when moving about.
• Difficulty in learning to walk, jump and skip.
• Poor in games and activities that require good hand-eye coordination
• Poor grasp in writing/drawing with pencils and crayons.
• Difficulty in knowing how to tie shoe laces or buttoning clothes
• Has difficulty modulating his voice (volume, speed, and pitch)
• Has difficulty in accurately positioning or moving objects from one place to another.
• Has difficulty in engaging in normal play and interaction with children and adults.
• Late establishment of left- or right-handedness.
• Is easily irritated by touch, such as tags inside clothing, hair brushing, etc.

How can Therapy Alliance Singapore help?

If you observe Dyspraxia symptoms demonstrated by your child, do not hesitate to contact us for a no-obligation discussion on your child’s condition with our Therapist/Specialist. Our Therapist will first understand your child’s condition before advising if a Dyspraxia Test or assessment is required.

We provide a Dyspraxia treatment service to enhance the condition of your child in the event the child is diagnosed positive on Dyspraxia. Early diagnosis and intervention usually lead to a faster and better outcome.

Contact Therapy Alliance Singapore for a No Obligation Discussion on your child’s Dyspraxia condition with our Therapist, we respect your privacy and all information shared will be kept confidential.

Contact us to Learn More about Dyspraxia