What is it about ?
Dyspraxia, also called Developmental Coordination Disorder (CDD), is a developmental disorder of the motor system in the brain. Each of our movements, as simple as it seems, is the result of careful and complex planning and organization in the brain. The brain determines which muscle is used at which time; the brain is constantly taking into account what each part of the body is doing. This is what allows us to perform fluid and complex movements.
Dyspraxia is caused by a malfunction of this brain system. This disorder results from the fact that the brain does not process information correctly. Poor development of the nervous system explains the disturbances or delays in planning, coordinating and performing movements, as well as in the acquisition of new skills in these growing children.
Dyspraxia is often associated with speech and language development disorders, dyslexia, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), or autism spectrum disorders.
There is usually something left over in adulthood: clumsiness (for example in household chores), difficulty in coordination (for example, while driving a car) and difficulty in performing precise movements (for example writing, tying laces, handling delicate objects …).
What is its frequency?
Dyspraxia is relatively common. 5 to 6% of the population are said to have some form of dyspraxia. This developmental disorder affects boys more often than girls. The risk of dyspraxia is much higher in premature infants and low birth weight infants.
How to recognize it?
ONE follows the development of all children up to the age of 2.5 years.
A delay in motor development may be due to dyspraxia. Manifestations are difficulties in the areas of gross motor skills (eg, walking), fine motor skills (eg, writing), and coordination between vision and movement (eg playing with a ball) . Learning to crawl, to walk, to walk without help … is done more slowly or more difficult. Compared to those of his age, the child has more difficulty with more demanding skills, which are necessary in particular for walking, standing or jumping on one foot, grabbing a ball, buttoning clothes, cutting with scissors, using a brush, learning to write … He does not perform well complex activities, but if they are subdivided into several reduced activities, the result is much better.
The child may also have trouble with balance, difficulty climbing stairs, or tripping, bumping and walking stiffly.
If the child also has speech and language problems and problems with attention and concentration, it is possible that the child has dyspraxia.
How is the diagnosis made?
The diagnosis is often made only around the age of 5, based on the story of parents, teachers, the psycho-medico-social center (PMS)… as well as on a thorough clinical examination. The diagnosis of developmental delay and / or developmental disorder is only possible after comparison with other children of the same age.
We try to estimate the severity of the clumsiness by a few tests. In addition, other problems that are often associated with dyspraxia (such as speech and / or language disorders, attention disorders, etc.) are investigated. Then, we must exclude neurological diseases which could explain the motor disorders (for example, cerebral palsy, muscular diseases …). For this, a thorough neurological examination is carried out and possibly additional examinations, such as a blood test or a CT scan.
What can the doctor do?
After the diagnosis, it is very important to ensure a good follow-up. The doctor (pediatric neurologist, general practitioner) takes care of this in consultation with other healthcare providers. Additional follow-up by a speech therapist, physiotherapist or occupational therapist is possible. The school doctor (PMS) must be aware of the child’s follow-up.
What can you do ?
It is very important that the diagnosis does not undermine the child’s self-confidence. Depending on the severity, the child receives additional support in the form of exercises. He should also keep moving, for example in a sports club or while practicing an active hobby. Children with dyspraxia have been found to be at increased risk for obesity.
Consult with the school and others (sports clubs …) about the problems your child is facing. In the treatment of dyspraxia, it is indeed important that everyone collaborates. When you choose a school, a sports club, a youth movement …, check if the required attention will be ensured.
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