How is dyspraxia diagnosed?

Answer 1

Dyspraxia can be difficult to diagnose as it affects lots of different body functions, it can occur as part of another syndrome and symptoms can overlap with other disorders such as dyslexia.

The diagnosis is mainly done on observation of the child's behaviour and symptoms and by using standardised tests. Neurological or neurodevelopmental evaluations can also be useful in the diagnosis of dyspraxia.

The main criteria used when diagnosing dyspraxia are:

* There is significant impairment in the development of motor coordination

* The coordination difficulties are not due to other conditions such as cerebral palsy. * The impaired coordination significantly impacts on normal daily living or academic achievement.

Answer 2

Developmental dyspraxia is apparent from birth or early in life.

To date no single cause is determined.

(Research suggests that it is due to an immaturity of neurone development in the central nervous system.)

It has however been noted that it is down to a immaturity in the growth of the brain whilst in the womb which in turn has its own causes.

contributing factors to this could be:

• lack of air whilst in the womb
• lack of air whilst having birth
• premature birth
• large bang to back of the head whilst in the womb or very early in life