Literacy news
Dyspraxia
24 Sep 2008
Dyspraxia affects up to 6 per cent of the population and up to 2 per cent severely. Boys are three times more likely to be affected than girls. Anecdotal research suggests there may be two children affected in every class of 30 children. It is known in the US as developmental co-ordination disorder and thought to be due to an immaturity of neurone development in the brain, which results in messages not being properly or fully transmitted.
There are probably one or two dyspraxic children in every class. But teachers are much less aware of dyspraxia - sometimes known as “clumsy child syndrome” - than of other developmental disorders.
But there are some easy indicators. Children may not be able to run or hop or cope with stairs and may struggle with eating and dressing. They have problems with hand-eye co-ordination (writing can be a nightmare) and spatial judgment (dyspraxic children bump into things and other people). Their concentration is poor and they are easily distracted.
Once it is spotted, there are simple strategies for helping the dyspraxic child in the classroom that do not involve extra resources, assistants or therapy groups.
For more classroom guidelines and more information about the condition, and to find out more about the events taking place during Dyspraxia Awareness Week (September 27 to October 4), visit www.dyspraxiafoundation.org.uk
(TES September 2008)
