3 Dyspraxia Symptoms to Be Concerned About in Your Kid

dyspraxia symptomsDo you notice your child’s motor skills quite delayed, as compared to an average kid? If so, then it may help if you have your child tested and evaluated by a medical professional who can determine possible reasons for this condition. There are certain causes of this delay in motor skills, and one of those is dyspraxia. Read on to find out more about the different dyspraxia symptoms in kids and what may be done to address this issue.

Overview of dyspraxia

Dyspraxia is a condition characterized by a person’s inability to move and perform tasks accurately. Children with dyspraxia encounter problems with their gross motor skills such as jumping, hopping on one leg, running, skipping, or throwing an object. They may also find it difficult to carry out movements that involve smaller muscles of their body, including writing, painting, whistling, pronouncing words, and drawing.

People who are diagnosed with dyspraxia may have language issues, and they experience difficulties with perception and thought. Their brain is unable to process information in an efficient way that allows for accurate transmission of neural messages. While dyspraxia does not have any effects on the person’s intelligence, it can lead to learning problems in kids.

Symptoms of dyspraxia

There are a number of symptoms linked with dyspraxia in children, three of which include the following:

1. Developmental issues

Babies and toddlers may show signs of dyspraxia when they are not able to attain the normal development stages for their age. For instance, these kids may take longer to sit, roll over, walk, speak, toilet train, stand, and crawl. In addition, their speech may appear to be immature and difficult to understand during their early years. These kids may also have unsatisfactory vocabulary and language skills.

When given an opportunity to mingle with other kids, they may have certain problems in relating with children their age because of poor gross and fine motor skills. Parents may be concerned about the performance of their kids in school because they are unable to concentrate or process thoughts easily. With these developmental problems that kids encounter, they may end up avoiding home or school activities because of the assumption that they will only embarrass themselves in front of other people.

2. Learning problems

Children with dyspraxia experience learning issues because of their poor concentration and cognitive skills. They are unable to focus on one thing for several minutes, and they have problems picking up and mastering new skills unless they are given encouragement. Hence, these kids perform better at school when they are surrounded by several people or when teachers take time to supervise them on a one-to-one basis. These kids may also find it too challenging to write stories or copy notes from the blackboard, so it is common for them to be quite behind in school.

When kids encounter learning and perception problems, they may be branded negatively by their peers. While it is not their fault that they have these issues, the constant teasing or reprimanding that they get from peers and adults may cause them to feel bad about themselves. These children may even blame themselves and develop a poor self-image as they grow up.

3. Muscle coordination and movement

Kids with dyspraxia have issues with eye-hand coordination and movement. They may find it difficult to join typical playground games, such as catching a ball, running, skipping rope, and playing any sport. They may also lack interest in playing with jigsaw puzzles, shape-sorter toys, and building blocks. Moreover, these kids have problems in using their pens, crayons, and scissors because of their underdeveloped fine motor skills.

Some people may perceive children with developmental dyspraxia as clumsy or awkward since they are prone to dropping things, bumping into objects, or falling over frequently. They are also unable to sit or stand still, tie their shoelaces, or write neatly.

Addressing issues caused by dyspraxia

If you notice these dyspraxia symptoms in your child, it is best to have him or her diagnosed and treated immediately. With proper guidance, encouragement, and counseling, parents and teachers can help kids manage their difficulties in learning, moving, and concentrating. It is also important that you work on building your child’s self-image and confidence through positive reinforcement and motivation. Instead of reprimanding kids for their incompetencies, you should encourage them to participate in regular activities and mingle with other people to help improve the quality of their life.