Skip to content

Effects of Dyspraxia

Effects of Dyspraxia

Babies

Symptoms of dyspraxia can be seen at an early age. Babies:

  • are irritable and may have feeding problems
  • are slow to achieve developmental milestones
  • often do not crawl, tend to 'bottom shuffle' and then walk
  • avoid tasks which demand manual dexterity.

3 to 5 years old

If not identified, dyspraxia can affect a child's school life causing increased frustration and lowered self-esteem.

Dyspraxic children often demonstrate some of the following types of behaviour:

  • Inability to stay still (feet swinging, feet tapping, hand-clapping)
  • Loud/shrill voice
  • Temper tantrums
  • Bumping into objects and falling over
  • Flapping of hands when running
  • Messy eating compared with children of a similar age. Often dispraxic children prefer to eat with their fingers and frequently spill drinks
  • Avoid playing with jigsaws or building blocks
  • Lack of imaginative and creative play
  • Difficulty in holding a pencil or using scissors. Poor drawing skills compared with children of a similar age
  • Rejected by peers, children may prefer adult company
  • Increased enjoyment of sensory stimulation (loud noises, wearing new clothes)
  • May be slow to respond and have problems with understanding of verbal instructions
  • Tasks are often left unfinished due to reduced concentration
  • Left or right handedness not fully established
  • Language difficulties

7 years old

Problems in the dyspraxic child may include:

  • Difficulties adapting to structured school routines
  • Difficulties in Physical Education lessons compared with peers
  • Generally slow at dressing, unable to tie shoe laces
  • Difficulty co-ordinating the use of a knife and fork
  • Poor handwriting
  • Immature drawing skills
  • Reduced concentration and listening skills
  • Take language literally
  • Slow at school work
  • Easily distressed and emotional
  • Inability to form relationships with peers
  • Difficulty sleeping
Dyspraxia

To book an assessment or for more information please email office@manchesterneurophysio.co.uk call 0161 883 0066 .