Misconceptions about Dyspraxia

Growing up with dyspraxia, I often felt like a lone sheep. I had a brief understanding of how it affected me and a rough idea of how to navigate the world, but being the only dyspraxic I knew, it was hard to address people's misconceptions. It wasn’t just me; even my family was learning as we went along.

Over time, fortunately, dyspraxia has gained more recognition, and thanks to the online community, we are gradually debunking the myths and misunderstandings that have formed. However, we still have a long way to go. Misconceptions about dyspraxia persist, often shaping how society views us and how we view ourselves. 

Here are some of the most common myths I have encountered and the truths behind them:

• Dyspraxia Only Affects Coordination

Coordination is often the first thing people notice when they encounter someone with dyspraxia, making it difficult for them to imagine that there might be other complexities happening in our brains. However, as individuals with dyspraxia, we know this is far from the whole story.

Some ways dyspraxia affects us go beyond just coordination:

Fine Motor Skill Challenges

Writing neatly can be a real challenge, with finding letters hard to form or a person’s handwriting looking inconsistent. Other fine motor tasks, like using a computer mouse or typing on a keyboard, might also be difficult to control and lead to slower, more frustrating work.

Poor Spatial Awareness

Individuals may struggle with navigating through crowds, constantly bumping into people or objects, or misjudging distances while driving or walking. This can make physical activities, like sports or even simple tasks like walking down the street, more difficult.

Messy Habits

Due to difficulties with organisation, someone with dyspraxia may find it hard to keep their home or workspace tidy. They might leave things scattered around, lose keys or important documents, and struggle to keep things in order despite trying.

Emotional and Sensory Responses

A person with dyspraxia might become easily frustrated when things do not go as planned, such as struggling with an everyday task like tying shoelaces. This frustration can lead to emotional outbursts or withdrawal from social situations, especially when they feel overwhelmed.

Dyspraxia, Dyslexia, and ADHD: Are They the Same?

Similar to dyslexia and ADHD, dyspraxia often overlaps with other conditions, leading to a more complex understanding of how these traits affect daily life. Just as people with dyslexia experience challenges with reading and writing, or those with ADHD struggle with focus and hyperactivity, individuals with dyspraxia face a unique combination of cognitive, emotional, and physical hurdles that extend far beyond simple coordination.

A more exact comparison can be made in the overlap of focus and coordination, traits shared by both individuals with dyspraxia and ADHD, especially when completing tasks.

The lack of attention span caused by ADHD can make it harder to organise thoughts and execute tasks, while the coordination difficulties from dyspraxia could cause physical challenges in carrying out the same tasks. These overlapping traits can make it appear as though the person is simply disorganised or careless when in reality, their experience is shaped by a combination of neurological factors that affect both their mental and physical capabilities. This overlap can make it even more difficult for others to fully grasp the impact of dyspraxia on a person's life.

Dyspraxia Affects Intelligence

The final misconception, which is entirely false, is that dyspraxia affects intelligence. Like myself, many individuals with dyspraxia possess average to above-average intelligence. The truth is, our struggles often stem from cognitive processing delays and challenges with short-term memory, which can make learning more difficult. It’s not that we can't understand or grasp concepts, but rather that it takes us longer to process and retain information. This can be particularly noticeable in subjects like maths, where sequencing and spatial reasoning are key, and can lead to the misconception that we are not capable in this area. However, these processing delays do not reflect a lack of ability or intelligence; they simply mean we need more time to absorb, organise, and apply new knowledge.

Personally, I have found that once the information clicks in my brain, it stays strong because I have worked on it for a while.

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, while dyspraxia is often first recognised through its impact on coordination, it is essential to understand that the condition affects much more than just motor skills. From cognitive processing delays and short-term memory challenges to difficulties with organisation, spatial awareness, and even emotional regulation, dyspraxia presents a unique set of obstacles that go beyond what meets the eye.

It is also important to recognise that, despite these challenges, many individuals with dyspraxia possess average to above-average intelligence, and their struggles do not reflect a lack of ability. Understanding these less visible aspects of dyspraxia is crucial for fostering empathy and support. When we look beyond the surface, we can better appreciate the full scope of the condition and create a more inclusive, supportive environment for those who navigate the world with dyspraxia. By challenging misconceptions and deepening our understanding, we can help break down the barriers that often make daily life more difficult for those with dyspraxia.

 

Written by Athina Spann