Brushing our teeth, tying our shoelaces, texting: these are all day-to-day activities we take for granted. But for some students, what seems like a walk in the park for us can seem like a walk up Everest.
This week is Dyspraxia Awareness Week, with this year’s campaign focusing in particular on the world of teaching and education.
Dyspraxia is an immaturity in the way the brain processes information and this results in messages not being properly or fully transmitted.
Despite affecting up to 10% of the population, the illness is often overlooked in the adult community.
Recognisble sufferers include the often acclaimed ‘genius’ Albert Einstein, and Harry Potter star, Daniel Radcliffe.
Radcliffe recently revealed that he still struggles to tie his shoelaces and has difficulties writing legibly.
Dyspraxia is thought to affect up to ten per cent of the population with up to two per cent severely affected.
The illness is often inherited and males are four times more likely to be affected than females.
Dyspraxia sufferers naturally have a lower concentration span, and can become easily distracted.
Most unaffected people struggle to concentrate through a lecture without daydreaming, so for dyspraxia sufferers it is an especially difficult task.
Handwriting is often illegible and multi-tasking between writing and listening in lectures can prove especially challenging.
Academically, essay structuring is especially difficult, as is meeting deadlines on time.
As a result of such difficulties, attendance often becomes poor. Such a downwards spiral can be a real danger unless suitable support is provided.
To date, no cure for dyspraxia has been found, but it is possible to help day-to-day problems through specialist treatments
Treatment may involve combining occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, psychology and enlisting the help of specialist teachers.
A study by Amanda Kirby of the Dyscovery Centre, Cardiff’s centre for living and learning difficulties, shows that 60-70% of students going into higher education still suffer from dyspraxia diagnosed in childhood. One student’s mother even had to brush his teeth for him.
For a Fresher in particular, the illness can be a big hindrance. Problems can include: filling in forms and organizing a timetable, finding your way around new buildings, cooking meals or tidying, making friends and explaining the problems.
First year Maths student and dyspraxia sufferer Ian David Martin commended the support provided so far by the university, and also gave advice for fellow students:
“Treat me like any other student. Most sufferers ask for help if they need it, so just be considerate when we do.”
Mary Colley, from DANDA, a charity for adults with conditions such as Dyspraxia, ADHD, and Asperger’s Syndrome claims that university was the ‘best place to be’ as a dyspraxia sufferer.
“Meeting a diverse range of people made it easier for me to make new friends, as they had different interests and hobbies which I could get involved with. It’s vital that those close to you at university understand and accept your illness.”
Drinking is a big part of university life, and according to Colley, this can be a potential pitfall for sufferers who drink too much to feel uninhibited.
Of course, this is true for most Freshers, but for individuals who lack sense of direction anyway, excessive drinking becomes a dangerous pastime.
Finding clubs and societies which are suitable for people with such poor co-ordination is also a problem at university. Societies are a great source of meeting new people and developing skills and hobbies, yet ensuring a range of societies are in place which encompass all the students’ needs is vital for dyspraxic students.
Sybil Green, one of the university’s Student Disability Contacts emphasised: “I would advise any student who thinks they may have a disability or specific need to seek early advice. Communication is essential to ensure that suitable provision is put in place.”
Dyspraxia is a problem which can often be dismissed as clumsiness, and the Dyspraxia Awareness Week seeks to reverse this misconception.
We as students can do our bit by helping our fellow students. After all as Ian Martin comments: “The illness is part of who I am. If somebody came along with a cure and offered it to me, I’d say no because I’d no longer be me.”
If you would like any more information about dealing with dyspraxia as a student, contact any of the following:
Christine Werrell
Manager – Disability and Dyslexia Service
Tel: 029 2087 9317 (Cathays Park)
Mary Colley
DANDA Developmental Adult Neuro-Diversity Association
Tel: 020 7435 7891
Dyspraxia Foundatio$1$3ww.dyspraxiafoundation.org.uk
01462 455016
