Dr. Robert Needlman
Specialist in pediatric behavior and development.
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 Ask Dr. Needlman
Outlook for Child with Dyspraxia | | | QUESTION | | | Dear Dr. Needlman,
I have a six-year-old son who has been diagnosed with dyspraxia. I am interested in hearing your opinion on this diagnosis. Specifically, I am interested in finding out whether you believe most children with this diagnosis "outgrow" their motor problems or believe that they suffer from these problems throughout life. My son was quite ill as a newborn and infant, and it is my layperson's belief that this is the cause of his delayed motor development. He seems to be "catching on," but at his own pace. Again, what is your long-term prognosis for children with a dyspraxia diagnosis? Thanks much.— Mkft in Miami, Florida | | | ANSWER |
November 13, 2001 | | | Dear Mkft,
I think the best answer I can give is that it depends a lot on the severity of the problem. Dyspraxia is a general term that doesn't tell me too much about the specific problems that your child is having. Some children with this diagnosis, for example, are quite clumsy and have a hard time learning complex movements such as roller-skating. In other cases, the main problem is with illegible handwriting, produced only with great effort. Still other children have several problems at once, including problems with balance, with over- and under-sensitivity to touch or other sensations, and sometimes with concentration or social skills. The prognosis depends on the specific pattern of difficulties a child is having as well as the child's strengths and the resolve and resources within the family to overcome these obstacles.
In general, though, I feel optimistic that children with the diagnosis of dyspraxia can learn to cope with their problems. They can cope in at least two ways: (1) by strengthening the abilities that are weak (for example, practicing balance or handwriting) and (2) by finding ways to work around their weakness (for example, by getting involved with swimming, rather than gymnastics or by learning to use a word-processor). A positive attitude and hard work under the direction of competent therapists certainly can help many children to succeed.— by Robert Needlman, M.D., F.A.A.P. |
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