Dyspraxia IS a motor planning problem.
Dyspraxia IS NOT a whole bunch of other stuff!
Dyspraxia is not:
- Aspergers
- Autism
- ADD/ADHD
- Oppositional defiant disorder
- Laziness
- Apraxia
- Ataxia
Most importantly, dyspraxia is NOT:
- …a result of vaccines or flu shots (repeat: it is NOT a result of vaccines or flu shots)
- …a result of eating genetically modified foods
- …a result of not eating local organic foods
- …a result of anything that one eats or drinks – ever
- …a result of fluoride in the water (as evidenced by world wide diagnoses)
- …contagious (should go without saying but…)
- …something to be ashamed or embarrassed about
And how does one develop dyspraxia?
At this time, there is no known single nor even multiple cause, or common pathway for developing dyspraxia, and the condition is present from conception (or as close to conception as the brain begins to develop). Dyspraxia is not the result of actions taken or not taken by one’s mother in utero.
Bottom line – stop the second guessing, guilt and shame.
You may hear or read many misinformed or misguided statements about how to prevent conditions such as ADHD, Autism, Dyspraxia, etc. – statements like this: “In Europe (Yurup), their food is different so blah, blah, blah…” So just in case you happen to hear that line of reasoning, know that dyspraxia is actually more commonly diagnosed in other countries than it is in the U.S., and especially so in the United Kingdom. In fact, most reliable information on dyspraxia you are likely to find, is found at https://dyspraxiafoundation.org.uk, a UK organization celebrating its 30th year in 2018.
Officially, Dyspraxia (DCD) is classified in the fifth revision of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) as a motor disorder, in the category of neurodevelopmental disorders. (source: wikipedia). Dyspraxia is recognized around the world.
Just as ADD/ADHD, autism, and other neurological disorders were not commonly discussed 50 or 30 or 20 years ago, dyspraxia is not yet in the common language of Americans. And many children with dyspraxia often exhibit other comorbidities (ADD/ADHD, autism, etc.). Boys may be more likely to be diagnosed with ADD/ADHD when in fact they are dealing with dyspraxia. Additionally, the emphasis on sports and physical abilities of boys and men often lead to a lack of diagnosis and an over diagnosis of other comorbidities.
Dyspraxia is thought to be around three or four times more common in boys than girls, and the condition sometimes runs in families, so it is suspected to be genetically inheritable, however no research has been able to identify a genetic marker to date. The possibility of a genetic component weighs heavily against the likelihood of nutritional deficiencies in utero, as well as alcohol abuse or any other pre-birth event.
Folate metabolism is one interesting area of research related to an entire spectrum of neurological disorders ([1], [2]) which may one day yield useful data. However, folate metabolism problems are the result of a genetic polymorphism and are not the result of poor diet. One should not blindly take folic acid supplements on a hunch, out of fear of developing a neurological disorder in utero. If one has a specific genetic polymorphism affecting folate metabolism, folic acid supplementation will likely be useless at best, and possibly detrimental at worst when a genetic polymorphism is present. There are tests to determine if one has a genetic polymorphism affecting folate metabolism. Further discussion of this topic is beyond the scope of this site, and you should consult appropriate medical specialists in this area if you have concerns.
Some clinical studies purport to show improved outcomes (or the potential for improvement) after several months of dietary supplementation with highly unsaturated fatty acids (HUFA) (i.e.: fish oil or other high DHA oils such as hemp, chia, etc.). These studies have not yet confirmed a positive connection but appear to show promise in helping children with dyspraxia with motor planning and control. ([3], [4], [5]) As with all “studies” use at your own risk.
Finally, MRI scans have not yet revealed any specific differences in children nor adults with dyspraxia, compared to their peers [6]).
To wrap this up – Dyspraxia happens.
There is nothing known to the medical or scientific community that you could do in utero to prevent it and nothing you can do after birth to stop it.
When dealing with family and friends you must explain to them that there is nothing to “fix” and that they need to simply be normal around you and your child. Family may be the most difficult to deal with but it is important that your child have a normal life and not be subjected to aunty Jane’s attempts to fix your child’s speech or jumping jacks every time she visits. Those interventions are the domain of the parents and therapists in your child’s life.
The answer to dyspraxia is love, understanding, and appropriate professional intervention.
[1] – Homocysteine and Neurologic Disease (JAMA neurology)
[2] – Hyperhomocysteinemia and Neurologic Disorders: a Review (NIH article)
[5] – DYSLEXIA, DYSPRAXIA and ADHD – CAN NUTRITION HELP?
[6] – Neural signature of DCD: A critical review of MRI Neuroimaging Studies (NIH article)