What is developmental dyspraxia?
Developmental dyspraxia is a disorder characterized by an impairment in the ability to plan and carry out sensory and motor tasks. Generally, individuals with the disorder appear "out of sync" with their environment. Although individuals with the disorder may be of average or above average intelligence, they may behave immaturely. Symptoms vary and may include:
Treatment is symptomatic and supportive and may include occupational and speech therapy, and "cueing" or other forms of communication such as using pictures and hand gestures. Many children with the disorder require special education.
Developmental dyspraxia is a lifelong disorder. Many individuals are able to compensate for their disabilities through occupational and speech therapy.
How can I or my loved one help improve care for people with developmental dyspraxia?
Consider participating in a clinical trial so clinicians and scientists can learn more about developmental dyspraxia and related disorders. Clinical research uses human volunteers to help researchers learn more about a disorder and perhaps find better ways to safely detect, treat, or prevent disease.
All types of volunteers are needed—those who are healthy or may have an illness or disease—of all different ages, sexes, races, and ethnicities to ensure that study results apply to as many people as possible, and that treatments will be safe and effective for everyone who will use them.
For information about participating in clinical research visit NIH Clinical Research Trials and You. Learn about clinical trials currently looking for people with developmental dyspraxia at Clinicaltrials.gov.
Where can I find more information about developmental dyspraxia?
More information is available from the following organizations:
American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA)
Phone: 800-638-8255 or 301-296-5650