Learning to play the piano is often more difficult for people with dyspraxia. But it's far from impossible for most. With the right teaching techniques, determination, and encouragement, someone with dyspraxia can play the piano.
Musicians with DCD/dyspraxia may be able to (easily) see patterns in music. This can be helpful, unless the particular pattern is muddled – Stephanie Guidera is a professional classical singer who was diagnosed with DCD/dyspraxia at age 20. She is a Patron of the Dyspraxia Foundation.
For example, individuals with dyspraxia often have a high level of creativity, strategic thinking, leadership and problem-solving skills. They may also be very good at visual tasks and have strong attention to detail.
Most piano teachers will encounter a piano student who has ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder) or ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder). And, let's be blunt, they can be very difficult students in a piano lesson setting.
Dyspraxia does not affect IQ or overall ability; it purely affects motor aspects of development. As a learning difficulty, dyspraxia means the person struggles to learn intuitively by doing, and motor skill development responds much more positively when taught through a process of imitation.
Common Dyspraxia strengths
Dyspraxics often learn to develop soft skills such as active listening, empathy, and when to delegate tasks to others. Their desire for people to understand what they deal with ensures that they communicate clearly too. All these result in dyspraxics making good leaders.
generally it impacts fine motor skills (e.g. holding a pencil) and/or gross motor skills (e.g. riding a bicycle). It can also impact the ability to organise yourself, remember information and control actions. processing differences. They may be sensory avoidant e.g. leaving a room when noises are too loud for them.
Studies indicate that when children with ADHD or learning disabilities learn a musical instrument, attention, concentration, impulse control, social functioning, self-esteem, self-expression, motivation, and memory improve.
Strings: The string bass is a good choice for children with ADHD/ADD because the child can stand while playing and it allows him or her to move, which helps with his or her ability to focus.
Piano As Outlet For Autism
If you have an autistic child, one outlet for their expression may be music at the piano. I have found that these children adore both the sound and the musical theory behind the piano. My most recent student, who has autism, is practically the definition of childhood musical genius.
Dyspraxia has nothing to do with intelligence and is classed as a motor learning disability, not a specific learning difficulty, but it can affect the way an individual learns.
Dyspraxia as a hidden disability
Dyspraxia is considered to be a hidden disability as the physical signs can be difficult to recognise. Dyspraxia is also less well known and often misunderstood, many people with dyspraxia do not realise they have the condition until later in life.
Fundamentally, autism is a disorder that affects socialization and communication, while dyspraxia affects motor skills and physical coordination. While coinciding symptoms aren't uncommon, the two are considered distinct disorders.
Dyspraxia can effect fine motor skills such as using cutlery and scissors, being able to brush hair and do things most women take for granted, such as applying makeup and painting nails. All the fiddly things in life. Our lack of motor skills can mean we are often mucky pups and quite messy.
While they do not get worse over time, their challenges may become more apparent with increasing academic demands. They have to work harder and/or differently than their peers to achieve the same goals. Despite their difficulties, pupils with dyspraxia can and do learn to perform some motor tasks quite well.
Adults with dyspraxia may be more likely to experience depression and anxiety. They may also be prone to low self-esteem, obsessions, phobias and addictive behaviour.
Music can be helpful for people with ADHD, but that comes with stipulations. For example, listening to binaural audio, background music without vocals, or chill electronic music like lo-fi hip hop can help ADHDers with focus and concentration.
Piano, ukulele, glockenspiel, xylophone and djembe drums are the primary instruments students are encouraged to explore. Learning to play an instrument encourages improvement in fine motor skills (an area of struggle for many dyslexic students).
Scientific studies and research show that playing musical instruments, like the piano, can even have a positive impact on your IQ. Studies that have been done throughout the years show that after about a year of weekly piano lessons and practicing, on average, children's IQ went up about 4.3 points.
It depends. Trouble with reading words can also impact a child's ability to read, decode , and interpret music. That doesn't mean kids with dyslexia can't learn to play music and enjoy doing it, though. The brain systems involved with dyslexia are complicated, and they vary from child to child.
Struggles with reading, writing, and math are common among students with ADHD. Use these strategies and tools to help your child overcome these and other learning challenges in core school subjects.
Problems with movement and co-ordination are the main symptoms of DCD. Children may have difficulty with: playground activities such as hopping, jumping, running, and catching or kicking a ball. They often avoid joining in because of their lack of co-ordination and may find physical education difficult.
Dyspraxia (developmental coordination disorder) can cause a wide range of issues with coordination and motor skills. While most people with dyspraxia show signs of the condition by the time they start school, some people have mild forms of the condition that are more difficult to detect.
What is dyspraxia ? Children with dyspraxia have problems with smooth and coordinated movements. Dyspraxia is often present after a brain injury. Dyspraxia brought on by a brain injury can improve with time and therapy.