Dyspraxia is a disorder that affects motor skill development. 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 brushing teeth.
It is estimated that dyspraxia affects at least two percent of the general population, and 70% of those affected are male. As many as six percent of all children show some signs of dyspraxia.
A person with dyspraxia can learn to function independently. Special learning methods and repeated practice of basic tasks can help. Sometimes occupational, physical, or speech therapy is also needed.
Dyspraxia by Category
| Category | May Cause Trouble with: |
Ideomotor Dyspraxia |
Inability to complete single-step motor tasks such as combing hair and waving goodbye. |
Ideational Dyspraxia |
Difficulty with multi-step tasks like brushing teeth, making a bed, putting clothes on in order, as well as buttoning and buckling |
Oromotor Dyspraxia |
Difficulties coordinating the muscle movements needed to pronounce words |
Constructional Dyspraxia |
Problems with establishing spatial relationships — for instance being able to accurately position or move objects from one place to another |
Dyspraxia often exists along with other learning disabilities and other conditions that impact learning, such as Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (AD/HD). Co-existing learning disabilities might include dyslexia (trouble reading, writing and spelling) or dyscalculia (trouble with mathematics). Some symptoms of all these learning disabilities and AD/HD are similar.
Weaknesses in comprehension, information processing, and listening can contribute to the troubles experienced by people with dyspraxia. They may also have low self-esteem, depression, and other emotional and behavioral troubles.
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Reprinted with the permission of the National Center for Learning Disabilities. © 1999-2009 National Center for Learning Disabilities, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
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