What is developmental coordination disorder (DCD)/dyspraxia?
Someone with DCD/dyspraxia will have a history of motor skill challenges.When we're considering this for teenagers and adults, we need to know that this history dates back to before the age of 12 as more recent onset would suggest urgent signposting to the GP.
Motor skills include manual dexterity, such as handwriting, using cutlery, wrapping a present by managing the paper/tape/scissors, cutting a straight line with a pair of scissors, being able to pour a drink from a bottle and self-care tasks. Aiming and catching can be impacted such as being able to catch a ball with one hand or throwing something at a target like a small ball into a bin some distance away. It can also affect balance and how we move, such as being able to quickly change direction when running. Interestingly, it's possible to be sporty and have DCD/dyspraxia, especially if coming from a sporty family where there've been lots of early practice opportunities and if doing solo sports (such as finding cycling, bouldering, swimming) is easier than engaging in team sports.
It's important to note that there can be other motor skill difficulties that may explain these symptoms including hypermobility such as Ehlers Danlos Syndrome.
However, DCD/dyspraxia also impacts planning and organisation which can have a profound effect on daily life as well as being able to tell the time on an analogue clock, finding one's way around places and map reading. There are also other ways that someone can be affected, such as being more sensitive to senses like strong smells or tastes, and regulating one's emotions.
With the people you've seen who have dyspraxia, what kinds of jobs do they do?
It can be helpful to know that having DCD/dyspraxia doesn't that you can't achieve your goals. I've seen many people including a couple of surgeons (who report having had to work extra hard at the practicals at med school), secondary school teachers, events organisers, counsellors and a couple of well known comedians. I've seen people whose jobs involve driving which they mastered through having additional lessons.
Famous people with DCD/dyspraxia who haven't let their difficulties hold them back include Daniel Radcliffe, Stephen Fry, Richard Branson, Einstein (couldn't tie his laces as a child or adult), Isaac Newton, Emily Bronte, Picasso and Ellis Genge (English rugby union player).