The Brain Charity

Dyspraxia is a common neurological condition affecting an estimated 5-10% of the UK population. Dyspraxia, also known as developmental coordination disorder (DCD), is a neurological condition that affects fine and gross motor skills.

People with the condition may have difficulty with timekeeping and tasks such as writing, tying shoelaces, catching a ball, or using scissors.

It is more prevalently diagnosed in males than females, though it can impact individuals of all ages and demographics. While it’s not a learning disability, it can impact a person’s ability to learn and develop.

In this guest blog, university student Lydia shares her own experience of living with dyspraxia after being diagnosed aged 10.

How dyspraxia affects people

For me, dyspraxia makes personal hygiene, cooking, cleaning and driving difficult. I cannot ride a bike; I struggle with washing my hair (but I am improving with practice).

I find cooking anything other than pasta impossible and rely on microwave meals, and my friends helping me with the oven. I used to have long hair but keep it shorter now that I am no longer at home and cannot ask for help as easily.

I need help to have my hair put up into a bun or ponytail. Cleaning is difficult and I am quite a messy person. I often lose things I need or misplace them and forget where they are due to short-term memory issues.

I cannot drive at the moment, which is frustrating and makes me feel as though I am behind in comparison to my peers.

Getting diagnosed

In primary school, I always felt like an outsider, and like I was weird and different compared to my peers. My Mum, a former Occupational Therapist, fought hard for me to get a diagnosis.

At the age of eight, I was misdiagnosed with dyslexia by my school’s SENCO. At the age of ten, I was diagnosed with dyspraxia privately. The person giving the diagnosis said to my mum that I was a ‘classic case’, and she didn’t know how the school hadn’t picked up on it sooner.

What is dyspraxia?

Dyspraxia, also known as developmental coordination disorder (DCD), is a neurological condition that affects fine and gross motor skills.

People with the condition may have difficulty with tasks such as writing, tying shoelaces, catching a ball, or using scissors. It can also affect speech, language, and social skills.

What is dyspraxia?

For Lydia, these difficulties can be another obstacle to overcome as an adult living independently.

University has been a difficult adjustment in terms of daily living and independence. Things like chores and personal hygiene are still difficult, but my friends, family, and partner are patient, understanding, and supportive. The university has been great, too.

Due to my time management issues, they give me extensions on my work, which helps.

Improved attitudes towards neurodivergence

Since I was in primary school (from 2008 to 2015), attitudes towards neurodivergence have improved. Where teachers once teased me and were impatient with me, they’re likely patient and understanding now.

I was lucky that I got good support from my secondary school, they let me use a word processor and gave me 25% extra time in exams. Thanks to these provisions, I got 10 GCSES.

Higher education & dyspraxia

As a result, I went on to a good college and was referred to the college’s support team called the ALS department. They had a room I could chill and work in. I had a lovely helper called Anne. The support I had access to was incredible and helped me so much. I am very grateful for it.

I came out of college with confidence and some independence, plus some A Levels and an unconditional offer to study English Literature and Creative Writing at Lancaster University, the highest-ranked university in the North West.

The offer was intentionally deferred, due to my desire to take a break from education and have a Gap Year. It was one of the best decisions I could have made.

Work and volunteering experiences

I worked as a tutor, online and in-person, as well as volunteering at a food bank. I also worked and volunteered in retail roles.

My boss accommodated me by opening bags and helping with the shutter on the door and being understanding about my difficulties with time management.

I worked for up to twenty hours a week at one point, but it was difficult. Due to my dyspraxia, I have weak muscle tone in my legs and standing in one spot for ages is really hard.

Personal growth and development

I spend a lot of time with my family. I see my friends and my partner, who I’ve been with for three years now.

My social skills are a lot better than they were! I got therapy that helped with anxiety and depression, which many people with dyspraxia experience.

I wrote social media posts for an online mental health charity and even wrote a post about dyspraxia! I felt like my post resonated with people, which was a really rewarding feeling.

From September 2023, I’ve had writing published in quite a few places and have upcoming projects I’m excited about.

University life and overcoming challenges

I’ve found university classes fast-paced, which makes them hard to process as a dyspraxic person. Concentration has also always been hard for me.

Yet I find the content itself understandable and got a 2:1 in my first year of university. Now in my second year of university, I’m aiming for a first class degree overall.

Educating others about neurodiversity

I am in several university societies and have a solid friendship group. I have a University radio show called, ‘Wired Different’, about being neurodivergent. On my show, I talk about dyspraxia, and I try to raise awareness and create understanding.

Advocacy and raising awareness

I write for the student newspaper, and I am getting my voice out there, for the sake of dyspraxia awareness. It feels like my purpose.

Dyspraxia isn’t known about enough, and I want to make sure that it is. I also want other people with dyspraxia to know that, with the right support in place, they can do well in life.

A future of advocacy and understanding

Despite my challenges with dyspraxia, I am a patient and empathetic person. I am understanding, because I know what it is like to struggle with your own brain. I care deeply about others. I am also quite creative.

Dyspraxia helps to drive my passions, as I want to be a disability advocate and uplift not only myself but other disabled people too. I hope to work as an SEN teacher and maybe as a SENCO or headteacher at an SEN school one day, as well as write about dyspraxia and disabilities.

Dyspraxia has therefore led me down a path of helping other disabled people. I do not know if my path in life would be as obvious to me if it were not for my dyspraxia, despite all the challenges I face because of it.

I hope, one day, the right level of access to support systems will be available to everyone, and that patience and understanding about disabilities such as mine will be better. This is what I dream of.

Find out more about dyspraxia

If you would like information or support regarding dyspraxia, head here.