Dyspraxia

My friend, Elaine, added a new child to her family with a diagnosis that I was totally unfamiliar with. I don’t claim to be an expert on special needs adoption, but I typically hear the same two dozen or so disorders when I talk to other parents. This one threw me for a loop and Elaine and I both researched it.

I went with Elaine to pick up this little boy and offer my insights as an impartial observer. I noticed obvious speech difficulties, possibly Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), attachment issues, sensory integration issues and a few things I couldn’t quite put my finger on.

Here is where the Dyspraxia comes into play. All those things that I observed appeared to be several different things, but are actually one thing. This is a problem with have with our kids. Symptoms overlap with so many disorders that trying to figure out what you’re dealing with and how to deal with it, can be overwhelming. Former blogger Julie referred to this as the combo platter since it was a little of this and a little of that and a little of something else. My own son has ten mental health diagnoses, so I fully understand the frustration of parents and trying to get services for your child.

Dyspraxia appears to affect different parts of development. Here are some of the symptoms:

• Slow language development
• Difficulty feeding
• An aversion to loud noises and environments
• Difficult with balance and being clumsy
• Difficulty learning basic movement patterns
• Unable to properly hold a pencil
• Panic attacks
• Low muscle strength and endurance
• High level of activity
• Eye tracking difficulties

Can you see how these issues can easily be confused with other disorders? When put together they are something else entirely.

Dyspraxia is something that can be managed with occupational, physical and speech therapy but not something that is every cured.

This little boy is very cute and looks remarkably like my former foster son, Kory. People meeting him for the first time might not suspect that anything is “wrong” with him, except to notice that his speech is significantly delayed, but could be chalked up to being an international adoption. He came to our home on Saturday for my daughter Hannah’s birthday party. It was a large, loud and active group and he did just fine. Elaine warned me ahead of time that when he gets on overload he tends to scream very loudly. This didn’t phase me since earlier in the day we had six screeching 6 – 7 year old girls singing High School Musical songs. I did not hear him screaming at any time. He played outside with his new brothers and sisters very easily. This is remarkable since it is the first time he has been to my home and the only other time he met me was when I rode with Elaine to pick him up.

It will be a long road for this family, but I have no doubt they can handle it.

Wikipedia

Dyspraxia USA

Photo credit

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