Dyspraxia
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Dyspraxia, a learning disability, is also known as Motor Learning Difficulties, Perceptuo-Motor Dysfunction and Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD). It used to just be labeled Clumsy Child Syndrome, but such terminology is frowned upon these days. Individuals with dyspraxia have difficulty with planning and completing fine motor skill tasks. And according to the Dyspraxia Foundation, 1 in 10 people suffer with the condition.
Dyspraxia and Movement
Some scientists label dyspraxia as an immaturity in the organization of a person's movement. In not processing information completely, physical coordination can be difficult for individuals with dyspraxia. Dyspraxia involves defects in gross motor skill and spatial awareness. British actor Daniel Radcliff is a self-identified dyspraxic, and claims difficulty with tasks such as tying shoelaces.
Characteristics of dyspraxia include:
- Poor timing
- Poor balance
- Difficulty of determining left from right
- Defects in fine motor skill development,
- Individuals express difficulty in such abilities as the correct pencil grip and handwriting.
- Dyspraxia also makes it difficult for the individual to learn graphemes, such as Roman numerals or the ampersand.
Memory and Dyspraxia
While many individuals with dyspraxia have short-term memory defects, their long-term memory is said to be excellent. These individuals are said to work best in structured environments that allowed for controlled or routine physical activities.