Swimming is particularly good for children with dyspraxia/DCD as it is made up of repetitive sequences of movements and it isn't as unpredictable as team and ball games.
Swimming helps with the development of core stability, strength, flexibility, endurance and coordination – skills that are challenging for dyspraxic people. It can also boost confidence and self-esteem.
Dyspraxia is a developmental disorder, which can cause a swimmer to have difficulty organising and directing their body to perform movement (motor skills).
If they do not enjoy team games, try other sports such as tennis, badminton, golf, swimming, archery, fishing, sailing, table tennis, canoeing. They do not need to participate in competitive sport but just playing is a great way to exercise.
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.
They are often creative and original thinkers as well as strategic problem solvers. However, some people with dyspraxia find it hard to achieve their true potential and may need extra support at work.
Dyspraxia does not affect your intelligence. It can affect your co-ordination skills – such as tasks requiring balance, playing sports or learning to drive a car. Dyspraxia can also affect your fine motor skills, such as writing or using small objects.
Swimming lessons for children with sensory disorders can be a very effective therapy. Children with these disorders respond to being in water in one of two ways. Many enjoy the sensation and experience no fear of drowning.
Moving around in the water also creates controlled vestibular stimulation and activities enhance proprioceptive feedback. All this enhanced sensory input helps with body awareness development, motor learning and provides the necessary sensory input the child craves.
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.
Developmental co-ordination disorder (DCD) cannot be cured, but there are ways to help your child manage their problems. A small number of children, usually those with mild symptoms who are diagnosed early, may be able to learn how to overcome their difficulties.
Myth 5: Children and adults who are dyspraxic can't be good at sports. These children and adults often just need more practice than others! They will find the initial learning stage much more difficult than others do. However, with practice and clear instructions, they can learn and also succeed at sports.
People with dyspraxia have problems with movement and coordination. Dyspraxia does not affect intelligence, but it can affect some cognitive skills. It can also affect the immune and nervous systems.
Does dyspraxia/DCD run in families? Dyspraxia/DCD seems to run in families in some cases, but to date, no specific gene has been identified. It is likely that there are many different causes of dyspraxia/DCD, and genetics may be one.
Dyspraxia is commonly identified alongside dyslexia – some reports even suggest that half of dyslexic children exhibit symptoms characteristic of dyspraxia. Attention difficulties and dyspraxia may also co-present, as can dyspraxia and autism spectrum disorder.
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.
Causes of DCD
It's not usually clear why co-ordination doesn't develop as well as other abilities in children with DCD. However, a number of risk factors that can increase a child's likelihood of developing DCD have been identified. These include: being born prematurely, before the 37th week of pregnancy.
Dyspraxia often co-occurs with ADHD, but the two conditions are separate. Luckily, there are support groups, online resources, and coping skills for dyspraxic individuals seeking a diagnosis.
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.
Tendency to become easily distressed and emotional. Sleeping difficulties, including wakefulness at night and nightmares. Growing awareness of difficulties, affecting confidence and self-esteem. May report physical symptoms such as headaches and feeling sick.