An Educational Therapist is a professional who works in the academic domain with neuro-atypical and neurodiverse individuals who are diagnosed with learning disabilities, exhibit signs of learning differences, or demonstrate difficulties with learning. An educational therapist understands how different learning difficulties and disorders faced by the individual affects the processing of the sensory information and knowledge being taught. The qualified educational therapist is trained to identify the different traits and symptoms of each of the learning difficultie and disorders and understand how the information are being processed by the individual with special education needs. The educational therapist performs psychoeducational diagnostical assessment and prepares the individualised intervention or therapy plan to help the individual to overcome learning glitches and promote changes in the brain organisation so that the individual could learn important skills such as paying attention, reading ability, organising, reasoning, self-controling, interacting, speaking and writing etc. With taught skills, s/he can actually overcome limitations and experience real success.
A counsellor is a professional who provides guidance, support, and therapy to individuals or groups facing various emotional, personal, or psychological issues. They may work in various settings, such as schools, mental health clinics, or private practices, and use counseling techniques to assist clients in managing their concerns and improving their well-being.
A psychologist is a mental health professional with expertise in the study of human behavior, emotions, and cognitive processes. They assess and diagnose psychological disorders, conduct research, and provide therapeutic interventions. Psychologists can specialise in areas such as clinical psychology, counselling psychology, or industrial-organisational psychology, among others.
A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who specialises in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of mental illnesses and disorders. They are licenced to prescribe medication and may also provide psychotherapies. Psychiatrists often work in clinical settings, hospitals, or private practices, and they use a medical approach to address mental health issues.
Educational Therapists are qualified professionals who have taken additional practitioners qualification to work with individuals who have learning difficulties or disabilities, helping them overcome specific academic challenges. They often address issues such as learning disorders, neurodevelopmental disorders, dyslexia, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorders (ASD), social communication disorders and other learning disabilities. Their approach highly structured and typically more individualised, as they assess the unique needs of each student and design individualised interventions to enhance their learning abilities. Educational therapists use a variety of teaching pedagogies, techniques and therapeutic methods to address cognitive, emotional, and behavioral challenges that may impact learning.
Special Education Needs (SEN) teachers are qualified teachers work within the broader field of special education and cater to the needs of students with a wide range of disabilities and learning difficulties. This can include intellectual disabilities, physical disabilities, emotional or behavioral disorders, and more. SEN teachers often work in special education programs within mainstream schools, special education schools, or inclusive classrooms, providing support to students with diverse needs. They may collaborate with other professionals, such as educational therapists, educational psychologists, speech therapists, and occupational therapists, to create comprehensive plans for students with special needs.
Educational Therapy is undertaken by an educational therapist who is professionally trained and has been admitted as a practising member with a reputable professional organisation such as Association of Educational Therapists, International Association of Counselors & Therapists and Association of Educational Therapists (Singapore) after passing rigorous qualifying examinations. The types of membership available are certified, credentialed, registered and board certified/ fellow. Board certified/ fellow being the highest standings of the profession and demonstrates a mastery of advanced knowledge due to very demanding admission requirements.
The main aim of the educational therapist is to understand and work around an individual child’s learning disorders, difficulties, habits, patterns and behaviors impeded inherently by his/her disabilities and disorders s/he may have. A highly proficient and skilled educational therapist uses a wide range of therapeutic skills, experience and knowledge to indivisualise both early intervention programmes (EIP) and learning programmes to optimise learning processes in achieving learning outcome. During the learning process, educational therapist may have to use various learning tools (both tangible and intangible) to help the child to comprehend academic concepts and acquire skills such reading, writing, abstract reasoning, memory, attention, emotions regulation, behaviour management, social communication and imagination for academic performance etc.
A counselling provides immediate or short term solution to address less serious and current issues that occur due to basic life challenges such as social issues, career options, relationship problems, family issues, stress at work or emotionally difficult changes like grief due to the loss of loved ones, so that the individual could make better informed decisions. Hence, clinical counsellors provide guidance, support and education to help client to identify and find solutions to current problems together. Do note that Educational Counselling is a type of counselling that focuses on providing academic, personal, and therapeutic support to individuals in educational settings. The ultimate goal of educational counselling is to support student’s success and well-being by addressing the diverse needs of learners in educational settings.
Psychotherapy in short for Psychological Therapy is undertaken by a clinical psychologist (incuding clinical counsellor) who is professionally trained and has been admitted as a practising member with a reputable professional organisations such as British Psychological Society, Singapore Association for Counselling and Singapore Psychological Society after passing qualifying examination. It is a way of helping individuals to deal with various mental health issues or emotional challenges. The clinical psychologist’s main aim is to modify the dysfunctional thoughts, beliefs, attitudes, feelings and behaviour of a person with affective disorders (such as anxiety disorder, depression and bipolar disorder), personality disorders and psychotic disorders.etc., and to facilitate positive change in individuals seeking better emotional and/or social functioning to improve quality of life. The modification are done through talk based therapies and hypnosis. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Interpersonal Therapy, Dialectical Therapy and Psychodynamic Therapy are the most commonly used talk-based therapies in treating the symptoms of the affective disorders. However, only a psychiatrist who is medically trained is able to prescribe pharmacological medication to treat moderate to severe conditions.
A Psychoeducational Diagnostic Assessment, Evaluation and Profiling (PDAEP) is a process of utilising various assessment tools and instruments to specifically collect information of an individual’s learning skills, performance, learning history, and instructional context, in order to make decisions about what supports and interventions might be needed for that student (Salvia and Ysseldyke, 1978). In other words, PDAEP aims to identify all learning disorders, disabilities, difficulties, deficits, challenges, dysfunctions and the associated functions of the brain, how the child learns, where and why learning or behaviour challenges originate and how to help promote changes in brain organisation, memory, reading, learning ability and overall processing.
With the mastery of advanced knowledge and skills by the board certified/ fellow educational therapist, advanced PDAEP could only be conducted by them as required in developed countries. In additional, only board certified/ fellow educational therapist are authorised to purchase and use certain very specialised tools or instruments to perform specialised diagnostic assessment. It aims to identify specific learning disorders and disabilities of a child.
Various assessment tools and instruments are usually utilised as to allow the assessor to corroborate the evidence and to probe further in-depth to identify the disorders and difficulties encountered by the child/ student should inconsistencies surface before providing a reliable opinion.
A Psychological Assessment mainly makes assessment on the mental state, dysfunctional thoughts, beliefs, attitudes, feelings, moods and behaviour of a person and proposes recommendations for treatment through psychotherapy. The Psychology Assessment is also used to determine the person’s personality & character, strengths & weaknesses, gender orientation, aptitude & motivation etc as required specifically by an organisation in verifying specific employment abilities and skills or predict potential behaviour under certain circumstances.
Cognition refers to the mental processes and abilities that enable an individual to acquire, process, store, and use information. Cognition involves all conscious and unconscious processes by which knowledge is accumulated. These processes include perception, attention, memory, language, planning, reasoning, problem-solving, and decision-making. It is a complex and dynamic process that involves many different parts of the brain working together to process and use information from our environment.
Cognitive development is critical to children as it refers to the development of their thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making abilities. Children who experience healthy cognitive development are more likely to succeed academically, socially, and emotionally. The early years of a child’s life are especially important for cognitive development, as the brain develops at a rapid pace during this time. Parents and caregivers can encourage healthy cognitive development in children by providing a nurturing environment that stimulates their senses, engages their curiosity, and challenges them to explore and learn. The following are reasons why cognitive development is important for children:
1. Building problem-solving abilities: Cognitive development helps children develop problem-solving abilities, which are essential for success in school and beyond. As they mature, children will encounter increasingly complex problems, and their cognitive skills will enable them to approach these problems with confidence and creativity.
2. Enhancing social and emotional development: Cognitive development is intertwined with social and emotional development, as children who have developed strong cognitive skills are better able to understand their own emotions and the emotions of others. This can lead to healthier relationships with peers, family members, and authority figures.
3. Improving analytical skills: Cognitive skills allow children to understand the relationships between ideas, to grasp the process of cause and effect, and to improve their analytical skills. Understanding the relationship between cause and effect can prevent children from engaging in risky behaviours, and can help them make more informed decisions in all areas of life.
4. Link between movement and cognitive development: Research shows a link between cognitive development and movement, meaning children need opportunities to move, so they can learn. Rolling, crawling, skipping, and jumping, along with a variety of other movement activities, build the brain during the first years of a child’s life.
The executive functions are primarily associated with the prefrontal cortex of the brain, but other subcortical structures may also play a role. The prefrontal cortex is divided into two parts: the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), which is involved in self-reflection, memory, and emotional processing, and the lateral prefrontal cortex (lPFC), which is involved in sensory processing, motor control, and other cognitive functions. Higher-level processes involved in executive function include planning and reasoning.
The executive function is a set of cognitive processes and mental skills that are crucial for cognitive development. The development of executive function skills is highly interrelated and requires the coordination of multiple types of brain function: working memory, mental flexibility, time management, planning, organisation, task initiation, perserverance and self-regulation etc. These skills are needed for self-control and managing behaviours, allowing individuals to do things like follow directions, focus, control emotions, and attain goals. They enable individuals to plan, monitor, and execute their goals, making them good students, classroom citizens, and friends, and helping them grow into adults capable of juggling a multitude of commitments.
Cognitive Therapy is a type of psychotherapy developed in 1960s by American psychiatrist Aaron T. Beck, as one therapeutic approach within the larger group of Cognitive Behavioral Therapies (CBT). Cognitive therapy is based on the cognitive model, which states that thoughts, feelings and behavior are all connected, and that individuals can move toward overcoming emotional difficulties and meeting their goals by identifying and changing unhelpful or inaccurate thinking, problematic behavior, and distressing emotional responses. This involves the individual working with the clinical psychologists, hypnotists or psychotherapists to develop skills for testing and changing internal beliefs, identifying distorted thinking, relating to others in different ways, and changing behaviors. A cognitive case conceptualization is developed by the clinical psychologist or psychotherapist as a guide to understand the individual’s internal reality, select appropriate interventions and identify areas of distress.
Cognitive Training, also known as brain training, involves engaging in activities designed specifically to strengthen one or more cognitive skills, the mental processes our brains use to think and learn. Some cognitive training programs focus on improving individual cognitive skills and executive functions such as attention, problem solving, working memory and reasoning while others are more comprehensive and integrated.
Diagnostic Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) is publised by the American Psychiatric Association (APA) as a tool to diagnose mental disorders. DSM 5th edition was published in 2013 and its DSM-5 text revision (DSM-5-TR) was published in 2021 as an addendum to DSM-5 and includes additional content and updated diagnostic codes.
The International Classification of Diseases, Eleventh Revision (ICD-11), is a diagnostic manual for medical conditions, including mental and behavioural disorders. It is produced by the World Health Organization (WHO) and is intended to be used by healthcare professionals worldwide. The ICD-11 includes many updates and changes from the previous version, the ICD-10, including changes to the classification and diagnostic criteria for mental and behavioural disorders. Some of the changes in the ICD-11 include the addition of new disorders, such as gaming disorder and prolonged grief disorder, and the removal of others, such as Asperger’s syndrome.
The DSM is primarily used in the United States and Canada, focuses on symptom-based diagnosis, and includes a large number of mental disorders. The ICD, on the other hand, is used globally for both medical and public health purposes, classifies disorders based on their underlying causes, and includes a vast array of medical and mental health conditions. Overall, there are some notable differences between DSM-5-TR and ICD-11 in terms of functional impairments, duration criteria, and the classification of certain disorders such as Prolonged Grief Disorder (PGD) and attenuated psychotic symptoms. However, both systems have introduced harmonised time course criteria and dimensional assessments.
A disability is a functional limitation of our physical (including blindness, deaf, handicapped), neurological (autism spectrum disorder, attention deficit-hyperactive disorder, developmental delay) or psychological (including anxiety disorder, panic disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia) structure that causes us a lack of ability to perform routine activity within the range considered as normal.
A disorder is a medical condition that mainly relates to mental health (neurological and psychological). The DSM-5-TR defines “disorder” as “a syndrome characterised by clinically significant disturbance in an individual’s cognition, emotion regulation, or behaviour that reflects a dysfunction in the psychological, biological, or developmental processes underlying mental functioning“.
Commonly known mental disorders are autism spectrum disorder (ASD), attention deficit-hyperactive disorder (ADHD), dyslexia, dyscalculia, dysgraphia, dyspraxia, eating disorder, depression, anxiety disorder, dissociative disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), oppositional defiant disorder (ODD), conduct disorder (CD), antisocial personality disorder, (ASPD), paranoia, neuroses, psychoses, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson disease and schizophrenia etc. Many rare disorders also vary from mild to severe, which warrants for different types and intensity of treatment and therapy.
A disease is construed as a medical condition associated with specific symptoms and signs that affects the structure or function of all or part of our body organism, not caused by physical injury. Most people understand a disease to be caused by pathogens (bacteria, virus, fungi and microorganisms) that maybe infectious. However, not all diseases are caused by pathogens and not all of them are infectious. Autoimmune diseases, cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease and Huntington’s disease etc., are non-communicable.
A difficulty is often known as a phase of struggle or challenge or in the condition of being difficult. It impedes a person encountering it from achieving a goal or aim. When the aim is redundant, the struggle in achieving the aim becomes less apparent. The disability, disorder and disease the person has encountered may inherently create a difficulty and prevent him or her to achieve a desired result. In the context of academic learning, the United Kingdom’s National Health Service defines a ‘learning difficulty’ as ‘a type of Special Education Needs, which affects areas of learning, such as reading, writing, spelling, mathematics etc‘.
A neurological disorder impairs the functions of neurons and the brain systems. In other words, genetic variants have caused impairment of the protein synthesis in the neurons affecting how the neurons synapse with each other. The neurological disorder has three components: neurodevelopmental disorder, neurodegenerative disorder and neurocognitive disorder. Examples of neurodevelopmental disorders are autism spectrum disorder (ASD), attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD), dyslexia, down syndrome and mental retardation etc. Examples of neurodegenerative disorders are Alzheimer’s disease, parkinson disease, multiple sclerosis and motor neuron disease etc. Genetic variants are heritable in nature and/or could be caused by environmental toxicity relating to radioactivity, existence of heavy mental in food and pollution etc.
A psychological disorder is an ongoing dysfunctional pattern of thought, feeling & emotion, and behaviour that causes significant distress, and that is considered deviant in that person’s culture or society (Butcher, Mineka, & Hooley, 2007). Individual with the psychological disorder will find his/ her daily functions impaired, family life disrupted and have to face unfriendly social environment leading to social withdrawal. Examples of psychological disorders are anxiety disorders, depression, bipolar disorder, paranoia, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), conduct disorder (CD), oppositional defiant disorder (ODD), various personality disorders. These psychological disorders could be treated with psychotherapy and counseling, as alternative to pharmacological treatment.
The neurodevelopmental and psychological disorders have varying degree of severity and are not mutually exclusive. They could cause learning difficulties in a child due to the impairment in memory, language, motor skills, speech, behaviour, cognitive abilities, social skills, emotion regulation skills. Intervention programs drawn up by a qualified educational therapist will effectively assist the child to overcome the learning difficulties.
Neurocognitive disorders refer to a broad range of conditions such as delirium, traumatic brain injury, infections, vascular disorders and exposure to toxins, that impair cognitive functions, including memory, attention, perception, and problem-solving, including but not limited to neurodegenerative diseases.
Neurodegenerative disorders are a type of neurological disease that involve the progressive loss and death of neurons, which can lead to cognitive, motor, and sensory functions impairment. Examples of neurodegenerative disorders include Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, Huntington’s disease, and Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
By DSM-5-TR definition, ADHD is characterised by predominant symptoms of inattention, hyperactive and impulsivity. It affects about 5% of the children and adolescents worldwide. Other common comorbidity disorders associated with ADHD include intellectual disability, anxiety disorders and learning difficulties as well as functional impairment such as low educational attainment, high unemployment and peer rejection etc. More than 60% of these can also be persisted into adulthood.
ADHD could be both caused by heritable genetic factors and/ or linked to inadequacy in care provision given at the early years of the person diagnosed with it. The inadequate care provision at the early years could have caused growth stunting and developmental delay leading to neurodevelopmental impairment at the prefrontal lobe and limbic system, especially the amygdala. Impairment at the prefrontal lobe leads to inattention and self-control, leading to impulsivity and hyperactive traits of the child. Impairment in the limbic system leads to both disinhibited social engagement traits, oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) and conduct disorder (CD).
Various pharmacological medications are available to treat ADHD in reducing the core symptoms, mainly by improving brain circuits in targeting the neurotransmitters pathways. Counseling for family including guiding the parents the techniques in improving family interactions & implementing behavioural techniques, and social learning based approach have positive effect on conduct problems, challenging behaviours and social skills of ADHD.
By DSM-5-TR definition, disruptive behaviour disorders are a group of mental health conditions that involve patterns of defiant and hostile behaviours that persist for at least six months and cause significant impairment in social, academic, and/or occupational functioning. These behaviours often violate the rights of others, and can involve aggression, destruction of property, or rule-breaking. Here are some of the most common disruptive behaviour disorders:
Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD): Children with ODD display a persistent pattern of angry and irritable mood, argumentative and defiant behaviour, and vindictiveness towards authority figures like parents, teachers, and other adults. This behaviour can cause significant distress for the child and their family and can lead to impaired social and academic functioning.
Conduct Disorder (CD): Conduct disorder involves persistent patterns of aggressive and antisocial behaviour, including physical violence, theft, and deceitfulness. Children with CD may disregard the rights and feelings of others, violate rules and laws, and engage in risky behaviours such as substance abuse or sexual activity. CD can lead to significant impairment in social and academic functioning, and may progress to more serious behavioural and legal problems in adulthood.
Intermittent Explosive Disorder (IED): IED is characterized by sudden episodes of uncontrollable anger or aggression that are disproportionate to the situation. These outbursts may involve physical violence, destruction of property, or verbal aggression, and can cause significant distress and impairment in social and occupational functioning.
Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD): DMDD is a relatively new diagnosis that involves severe and persistent irritability and temper outbursts that are disproportionate to the situation. These behaviours may occur frequently and can cause significant impairment in social and academic functioning.
Pyromania: Pyromania involves a persistent and intense fascination with fire and setting fires, which can cause significant harm to self, others, or property. Pyromania is a rare diagnosis and is often associated with other mental health conditions like ADHD, depression, or conduct disorder.
Kleptomania: Kleptomania is a mental health disorder where the affected person experiences difficulty in controlling their emotions or behaviour. It involves a persistent and recurrent urge to steal objects that are not needed for personal use or monetary gain. Kleptomania is a rare diagnosis and is often associated with other mental health conditions like depression and anxiety disorders.
The treatment for disruptive behaviour disorders usually involves a combination of medication and therapy. The specific approach to treatment will depend on the type and severity of the disorder, as well as the age and individual needs of the child. Behavioural therapies are often the first line of treatment for disruptive behaviour disorders, and they aim to help children learn to control their behaviour, manage their emotions, and improve their social skills. Some common behavioural therapies include cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), parent management training (PMT), and multi-systemic therapy (MST).
In addition to behavioural therapies, medication can also be prescribed to help manage symptoms. Stimulants, such as methylphenidate, are often used to treat ADHD, which frequently co-occurs with disruptive behaviour disorders. Antipsychotics, such as risperidone, are sometimes used to treat severe aggression and irritability associated with ODD and CD. However, medication should always be used in conjunction with therapy and under the supervision of a qualified healthcare provider.
In conclusion, disruptive behaviour disorders can be treated with a combination of medication and therapy. The specific approach to treatment will depend on the type and severity of the disorder, as well as the age and individual needs of the child. Early intervention is important to prevent long-term problems such as mental disorders, violence, and delinquency. If you suspect that your child may have a disruptive behaviour disorder, it is essential to seek help from a qualified healthcare provider.
By DSM-5-TR definition, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) recognises three persistent deficits in three core behavioural symptoms: (1) impairment in verbal and non-verbal communication; (2) deficit in social reciprocity; (3) highly restricted, fixated interests and repetitive motor movements. The main cause for such the high heterogeneous neurodevelopmental disorder is genetic factors, such as Asperger Syndrome, Phelan McDermid Syndrome, Rett Syndrome, Pervasive Developmental Disorder, Heller Syndrome etc. It is also highly prevalent in people who are diagnosed with Fragile X Syndrome, Tuber Sclerosis, Cohen, Smith Magenis Syndrome, Angelman Syndrome etc. ASD affects close to 2% of the population worldwide. Males have four times more of a prevalent rate than females. It is also considered as highly heritable, running in the family as high as 80% to family history of genetic disorder conditions.
These genetic disorders substantially affect the functional structure of the neurons and their synapses between the neurons. It is highly likely that the genes implicated in ASD overlaps and comorbid with other neurodevelopmental disorders such as intellectual disabilities, ADHD, speech and language impairment, oppositional defiant disorder and epilepsy etc.
ASD is a lifelong diagnosis. There is no specific medication to treat ASD and its symptoms. An accurate and comprehensive psychoeducational diagnostic assessment (PDA) at the early onset of the ASD is essential to understand in depth the varying degree in severity of the condition the child is encountering before individualising any learning and treatment programs. Some children with milder symptoms can learn how to manage the disorder more effectively than others. Hence, appropriate early intervention programs (EIP) conducted by an educational therapist is beneficial and could benefit from the greater brain plasticity at the younger age of the child and is more effective in reducing a developmental trajectory towards ASD effectively. EIP or different types of therapies become the prevalent and effective frontline treatment for ASD. They are able to modify atypical ASD related behaviours during development. Improved social interaction between the caregiver and the infant has resulted in raising infant attentional flexibility. Both early diagnosis and intervention programs display higher efficacies.
Well established parenting training also has efficacy for children with ASD. As it has therapeutic effects for the parents as it reduces parenting stress resulting from the ASD children’s disruptive behaviours. The parenting training also improves their capacity to cope and improve interactions with the ASD children. The child with ASD in turns benefits from the reduction of parental stress and effectively improves their disruptive behaviours and anxiety.
Dyslexia or decoding difficulty refers to children who have difficulty in reading due to weakness in identifying speech sounds (phonological). This leads to challenges in spelling, pronunciation, and orthography skills. The DSM-5-TR defines these symptoms as Speech Sound Disorder. Children with dyslexia may confuse words that look alike and encounter challenges in word recognition. This may cause them to read slower.
Dyslexia affects about 8 to 9% of the world’s population and is a genetic disorder in the brain. It is 50% heritable. It is not the result of intellectual ability, emotional disturbance, visual, hearing, or motor disability; a lack of appropriate instruction; cultural factors; environmental or economic disadvantage; or limited English proficiency.
Dysgraphia refers to difficulty with expressing thoughts in writing due to weakness in literacy and/or language conventions. A child with dysgraphia may have trouble recalling how letters are formed and write their letters in reverse. S/he may not know when to use lower or upper case letters. S/he may also struggle to form written sentences with correct grammar and punctuation, with common problems including omitting words, words ordered incorrectly, incorrect verb and pronoun usage and word ending errors. People with dysgraphia may speak more easily and fluently than they write.
DSM-5 defines such disorder as Language Disorder which is a genetic disorder and involves persistent difficulties in the comprehension or production of spoken and written language, or other forms of language. Dysgraphia affects about 10% of the world population. A child with dysgraphia may appear detached from others in a family and school due to his/ her difficulties in comprehending and expressing. Hence, the child may not respond well to instructions and questions.
Communication Disorders: Both dyslexia and dysgraphia are in general known as Communication Disorders. A child with Communication Disorders may show lack of confidence and demonstrate additional emotion and behaviour reactions.
Treatment: Early diagnosis critical and has many advantages as the severity of both dyslexia and dysgraphia alongside comorbidity with other disorders could be diagnosed properly. Personalised early intervention (received from a Speech & Language Therapist) and self-empowerment reduced unpleasant reading experiences and enhances reading motivation, leading to improvement in vocabulary, communication skills and self-esteem. The therapist will use various tools methodologies to assist the child with communication disorders.
Dyspraxia, also known as Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) as defined by DSM-5-TR, is a neurological condition affecting physical coordination (fine and gross motor skills) and processing motor tasks. Children with dyspraxia appear to move clumsily, and it may affect self-care productivity as well as academic productivity such as handwriting. Symptoms of dyspraxia include poor hand-eye coordination, poor posture and clumsiness. Children with dyspraxia may show the following signs:
However, parents must note that it does not affect intellectual ability, though it affects about 10% of the population and runs in the family. Males are 4 times more likely to be affected than females.
Early screening and assessment is definitely beneficial to understand the severity of the difficulty the child may be facing before and intervention is carried by an Occupational Therapist. Importantly, the therapist helps to improve functional performance and prevent the potential negative physical and socio-emotional developmental trajectories associated with dyspraxia using various learning aids, equipment and tools.
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Everyone of us has a unique set of inherited genetics that wire our brain’s neural mechanisms differently. We spend our lives exploring and optimising our functional capabilities – a lifetime of exploration and learning for everyone. Recognising the value of neurodiversity is crucial for creating inclusive communities that celebrate the strengths and capabilities of every individual, irrespective of their neurological differences.
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