Dyspraxia And ADHD In Children: Are They Connected?

Dyspraxia is also known as developmental coordination disorder (DCD). When parents notice motor problems in their children, it is important that they are screened for Dyspraxia and other potential causes. Dyspraxia can cause a range of difficulties in a person's life in childhood and adulthood, but multiple treatment strategies can help.

So, what is Dyspraxia? Are ADHD and Dyspraxia connected? In this article, we'll discuss the definition and symptoms of Dyspraxia, the connection between ADHD and Dyspraxia, and how Dyspraxia is diagnosed. Then, we'll go over treatment for Dyspraxia and how to talk with your child's doctor.

Struggling to motivate your ADHD child?

 

Download the Joon App and start your free 7-day trial.  

Download App

   

What Is Dyspraxia?

Dyspraxia or developmental coordination disorder is a condition characterized by poor balance, motor planning, and motor skills. Dyspraxia can occur on its own or alongside other disorders and concerns, such as ADHD, sensory processing disorder, or learning difficulties. When explaining Dyspraxia, it's vital to state that no two children with Dyspraxia will be exactly alike. One child might face trouble with a few specific tasks, like handwriting, whereas others may have difficulty with many, most, or all tasks that require physical coordination, balance, and motor skills.

Dyspraxia affects fine motor skills and gross motor skills, defined by the following:

Fine motor skills

"Fine" is another word for "small." Clinicians who evaluate children for Dyspraxia will examine how a child uses small muscles that help with tasks such as tying shoes, buttoning a shirt, using utensils to eat, or writing.

Gross motor skills

"Gross" is another word for "large." Clinicians who evaluate children for Dyspraxia will examine how a child uses large muscles that coordinate body movements, such as maintaining balance, jumping, throwing, walking, and running.

Symptoms Of Dyspraxia

Dyspraxia can range in severity and symptoms. Severe symptoms may be a major concern for parents, whereas mild symptoms might be less noticeable to some degree. Regardless, children with the condition will face trouble with tasks that other children their developmental level and age do not. While Dyspraxia generally persists into adulthood, treatment can help people with the disorder manage symptoms.

Common symptoms of Dyspraxia include:

• Clumsiness
• Poor performance in sports or during physical activity
• Poor hand-eye coordination
• Poor posture
• Difficulty with balance (e.g., trouble standing on one foot)
• Difficulty writing or using utensils such as a spoon or fork
• Difficulty navigating uneven surfaces (like stairs)
• Fatigue

Younger children may learn to sit up late or experience other delays, though this does not always indicate Dyspraxia. Many children with Dyspraxia also experience low self-esteem, anxiety, trouble with school or learning, difficulty with social skills or social interactions, and other effects. Some children avoid activities that other kids find enjoyable due to dyspraxia. 

What causes Dyspraxia?

Scientists suggest that Dyspraxia occurs when motor neurons in the brain do not develop as expected. A number of genetic and environmental factors increase the risk that children will live with Dyspraxia. Low birth weight, premature birth, family history, and exposure to illicit drugs or alcohol during pregnancy can raise the likelihood that a child will have Dyspraxia. A higher prevalence of Dyspraxia is also seen in children with a range of other disorders.

Are Dyspraxia and ADHD Connected?

Both ADHD and Dyspraxia are considered neurological conditions. In the medical community, there is a known and recognized connection between ADHD and Dyspraxia - so much so that some professionals suggest that kids with ADHD are screened for motor issues. Like with many other conditions, it is more common for those with ADHD to meet the diagnostic criteria for Dyspraxia than it is for kids without ADHD. Research suggests that around half (50%) of children with ADHD have Dyspraxia. 

One small study comparing kids with ADHD to kids without ADHD found that the ADHD group had a 75% prevalence of probable DCD. In the study, children with ADHD displayed slower motor performance and lower participation in motor-based activities of daily living. If your child with ADHD has or may have Dyspraxia, you're most certainly not alone.

While it's tough to determine the exact percentage, it is clear that the prevalence of Dyspraxia in those with ADHD differs from that of the general population. A stark contrast from the prevalence seen in those with ADHD, Dyspraxia is said to affect just 5-6% of school-aged children overall.

Note: Joon is a new app created for kids with ADHD and their parents. Designed for children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder between ages 6-12, Joon helps kids complete tasks such as brushing their teeth, getting dressed, and doing household chores.

Joon aids motivation, independence, and self-esteem. With a total of more than 3.6k reviews from parents like you, Joon is rated an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars in the app store.

Click here to get your one-week free trial.

Diagnosis

Getting diagnosed with a motor disorder like Dyspraxia is the first step to obtaining treatment. Since children develop at different rates, developmental coordination disorder is typically diagnosed in children once they are over the age of five. Professionals will review a child's full medical history before they provide a diagnosis. In the case that your child has ADHD, doctors will rule out ADHD symptoms such as trouble paying attention as a cause.

Diagnostic criteria for developmental coordination disorder require that:

• Motor skills are notably below what's expected for a child's age and opportunity for skill learning and use. Challenges with motor skills may manifest in the form of clumsiness (e.g., bumping into things, dropping objects) and slowness and/or inaccuracy of motor skills (e.g., trouble with handwriting, using spoons and forks, and engaging in physical activity or sports). 
• Challenges with motor skills interfere with everyday activities that would be expected for a child's age—for example, self-care and personal hygiene, leisure and play, and school or academics.
• The onset of a child's symptoms occurs in the early developmental period.
• Another disorder does not better explain symptoms.

If you notice symptoms of Dyspraxia in your child, talk with a medical professional who can offer advice, evaluate your child for the disorder, and help your child access treatment. Early intervention can help a child with Dyspraxia overcome difficulties and find strategies that work even if the condition does not go away.

Treatment

Treating Dyspraxia helps kids manage the disorder and prevent further problems later in life. While ADHD and Dyspraxia are connected, they are separate disorders that require different treatments. Once a child receives a diagnosis of developmental coordination disorder, the next step is treatment. Treatment for developmental coordination disorder may include one or more of the following interventions. 

Occupational therapy

Occupational therapy can help kids with various disorders better engage in a host of daily life activities they have trouble with. For example, a child with Dyspraxia might need help with writing, tying their shoes, or something else. Goals in occupational therapy will be determined based on specific tasks a child experiences difficulty with. Occupational therapists often use games and fun activities (like obstacle courses) that promote skills as a part of treatment. The skills kids learn in occupational therapy can help them succeed at school, in the home, and in social settings. Occupational therapy is usually the first line of treatment for Dyspraxia and can be tremendously helpful. 

Speech and language therapy

Some children with Dyspraxia may face more difficulty with speech and language than others. If a child is struggling with speech, a speech-language pathologist can assess the child's current difficulties and create a plan to help them communicate more effectively.

Physical therapy

Physical therapy for children with Dyspraxia can improve muscle strength, coordination issues, confidence, and balance. Similar to occupational therapists, physical therapists may use games and other fun activities, as well as simple exercises (like balancing on one foot) to help children with Dyspraxia meet their goals.

Equine therapy

Equine therapy is also called riding therapy, horse therapy, or therapeutic horseback riding. It is proven beneficial for kids with many conditions, including Autism Spectrum Disorder, ADHD, and Dyspraxia. Equine therapy uses the act of riding a horse to encourage balance, gait,  cognition, focus, and motor skills in kids with Dyspraxia. Some studies also show that equine therapy can have positive effects on mood, behavior, and quality of life. For equine therapy to be effective and safe, children should work with a specialist who understands Dyspraxia.

Active play and at-home support

Active play, whether at home or with a professional, can promote fine motor skills and other skills children may have difficulty with as a result of Dyspraxia. Parents may engage in active play with a child to encourage coordination and skill learning. If your child works with an occupational therapist or another professional, they might give you some ideas for at-home activities. 

Other strategies

Other strategies, like school accommodations, can be helpful for children with Dyspraxia even if they aren’t necessarily a form of treatment. To help their child, parents may provide velcro shoes, pencil grips, and other beneficial tools that make a specific difficult task easier. If needed, medical professionals can provide documentation for your child’s school. Some children may benefit from mental health support if additional concerns, like anxiety, are present. Children may engage in a combination of multiple treatments for Dyspraxia, though not always. 

Talking To Your Child's Doctor

Professionals such as pediatricians, clinical psychologists, neurologists, occupational therapists, or educational psychologists can diagnose Dyspraxia. Most people who suspect that their child may have Dyspraxia start the process of getting a potential diagnosis by making an appointment with their child's pediatrician.

When you attend the appointment, tell your child's doctor about the symptoms they experience. Some parents find it valuable to keep a written record of their children's challenges (e.g., trouble climbing stairs, learning to write, or buttoning clothes). That way, parents can show the list to their doctor during the appointment.

Following a visit to their pediatrician, children may receive a referral to a neurologist or another provider if needed. Physicians will provide specific instructions, guidance, and recommendations based on the unique experience of your child. 

Although Dyspraxia can impact many areas of a person's life, it is very possible to find tools that work and live a full, happy life with the disorder.