Do you know about dyspraxia in toddlers? Your little tot might find difficulty in perform normal activities for his age, such as climbing up and down the stairs, putting on clothes or writing alphabets. Well, your toddler might be suffering from dyspraxia.

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Know about dyspraxia in toddlers

As the toddlers grow, they begin to learn the ability to perform simple activities like walking, sitting and talking. However, some may lack coordination between their mind and body to perform these simple activities. All due to a developmental coordination disorder (DCD) in toddlers known as dyspraxia.

In general, dyspraxia is a neurological disorder that makes troubles with an individual’s ability to plan and process motor tasks. However, the child with DCD possesses normal intelligence but it can cause learning problems in children.

Earlier, dyspraxia was known as minimal brain damage and clumsy child syndrome.

Symptoms of dyspraxia

If a toddler is suffering from dyspraxia the common dyspraxia symptoms in toddlers include, the child may find difficulty in sitting, walking, speaking, standing and developing vocabulary. Further, a toddler with dyspraxia may encounter the following symptoms:

• Difficulty in maintaining good posture.

• Toddlers may never go through the crawling stage.

• The problem in making balance and performing motor coordination i.e., they are prone to fall.

• Find difficulty in performing activities such as dressing up, riding a bicycle, holding an object, and climbing stairs.

• Trouble understanding instruction and poor memory.

• Difficulty in speaking and listening.

• Poor social skills.

• Sensitivity to noise and light.

• The problem in coordination creates difficulty in skipping, jumping or catching a ball.

• Unable to work out and maintain physical fitness.

Causes of dyspraxia

So far, the causes of dyspraxia in toddlers are not yet known. But probable causes can be associated with the variation in the way neurons in the brain develop. Which can affect the brain’s way to pass on the message to the rest of the body.

Yet the risk factor for developing developmental coordination disorder (DCD) involves:

• Low birth weight

• Premature birth

• Use of drug and alcohol during pregnancy

• Family history of DCD

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Treatment for Dyspraxia in toddler

For some, the symptoms may reduce on their own as they grow. But the thing is not applicable for most of the children. As for treatment, there is no cure for dyspraxia in toddlers. However, with a few therapy one can improve the quality of life of a toddler.

Treatment plan preparation will be according to the needs as well as based on certain factors like the severity of symptoms and notable symptoms of dyspraxia.

Below mention are some plans a doctor may suggest:

1. Physical guidance

To improve the balance and most importantly bring coordination between brain and body, provide physical education. Learning sports like cycling and swimming can improve the motor skills of a toddler. Daily exercise and playing team sports can reduce the risk of obesity and can develop social skills respectively.

2. Goal-oriented approach

A goal-oriented approach (aka Task-oriented approach) can help your toddler in improving daily activities. With the help of an occupational therapist, guide and improve the performance of your toddler. Encourage your toddlers to lead an independent life

3. Process-centric approach

This is an alternative approach to a goal-oriented approach, though it won’t be as effective as a goal-oriented approach.  The approach involves the improvement of the general movement or motor skills of your toddler, rather than helping them with a certain task.

Conclusion

With this, let me conclude that dyspraxia is very common in males than in females. If you are suspicious about your toddler suffering from the same, get help from a pediatrician immediately. Above all, a supportive environment can help your toddler in conquering the problems that come with dyspraxia.

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