The Psychological and Social Aspects of Dyspraxia

Dyspraxia (also known as developmental coordination disorder or DCD) is a fairly common disorder that may affect up to 10% of the population, with men being four times more likely to be affected than women.

Dyspraxia can have physical, psychological and social effects, including problems with movement, coordination and fine motor skills. The extent that dyspraxia affects a person’s day-to-day living varies from person to person and may include issues with day-to-day tasks such as dressing, writing, chopping vegetables, cooking or playing sport. 

Although the physical impacts of dyspraxia are well documented, the psychological and social impacts, which include problems with memory, planning and social awareness, are often overlooked. 

There is no cure for dyspraxia. The signs are often first noticed in childhood although an increasing number of adults are being diagnosed with the disorder. People often find having a diagnosis helpful as it can help them to make sense of their differences. Some people will also undergo a ‘needs based’ assessment which can help identify strategies, tools and approaches to help them in their daily life. 

In this article we will highlight some of the social and psychological difficulties facing people with dyspraxia and suggest some techniques and strategies to improve their wellbeing and help them to thrive in social situations, as well as at school or in the workplace. 

Dyspraxia Psychology Aspects 

Up to 5% of school children may be affected by dyspraxia with around 2% of them being severely affected. These issues will usually follow them into adulthood, therefore early identification is crucial in order to improve long-term outcomes for people with dyspraxia and to ensure their physical, psychological and social needs are met. 

People can have dyspraxia in addition to other conditions such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD), attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD) or dyslexia. Dyspraxia psychology can also have an effect on a person’s mental health. If you have dyspraxia, you may be at an increased risk of developing problems with:

• Low self-esteem and confidence 
• Anxiety and stress 
• Depression 
• Perfectionism and overwhelm

Frequent difficulties with motor tasks, coordination and daily activities may lead to feelings of inadequacy and low self-worth, especially during childhood and adolescence. People with dyspraxia may develop anxiety and stress about embarrassing themselves in front of their peers and may be worried about judgement and stigma, especially at school or in social situations.

People with dyspraxia process their struggles as individuals and may react to them by becoming withdrawn, depressed or isolated, or may go to the other extreme and develop perfectionist tendencies which can lead to stress and overwhelm.

People with dyspraxia may also experience issues with emotional regulation, such as:

• Frustration and anger – this may stem from the perception that they struggle with tasks that people without dyspraxia see as simple or routine. High-pressured situations such as exams or job interviews may exacerbate these feelings.
• Emotional resilience – building emotional resilience can be challenging. Tips to be more resilient include not comparing yourself to others, focusing on strengths rather weaknesses and having realistic expectations. These skills take time to build and it is important to be kind to yourself and be patient. 

People who struggle with low confidence and emotional resilience may benefit from developing a growth mindset. Those with a growth mindset don’t believe that their talents and skills are fixed and think that they can get better with practice. The opposite of a growth mindset is a fixed mindset. People with dyspraxia may compare themselves unfavourably to others and this can develop into a fixed mindset about their learning and abilities. 

Not everyone is educated about neurodivergence or people who learn differently which can lead to misunderstandings, teasing and even bullying, especially at school. This can lead to people developing:

• Social anxiety 
• Poor self-image 
• Lack of confidence 
• Low self-esteem 
• Unhealthy coping mechanisms 

It is important to remember that people with dyspraxia have a brain that works slightly differently and they cannot always help their behaviours. 

Social Aspects of Dyspraxia

People who have dyspraxia may struggle or seem awkward in social situations. They may display some of the following behaviours:

• Missing or misunderstanding social cues
• Struggling to take turns talking or interrupting 
• Finding it difficult to follow instructions 
• Problems with executive function such as inhibitory control, causing people to struggle to resist impulsive behaviours or show self-control
• Language problems, including struggling to keep up with conversations or taking large pauses (that others may deem awkward or inappropriate)

People with dyspraxia may also struggle with social situations that require movement or coordination, such as going out dancing or playing a team sport. This can lead to withdrawing from difficult social interactions, turning down invitations or being uncomfortable during group activities or team-building exercises.

School can be especially challenging for children with dyspraxia. Although the condition has nothing to do with intelligence, children with dyspraxia often fall behind in education. Typical challenges in the classroom may include difficulties with pen grip, producing neat handwriting and processing information the teacher has given. Social challenges outside of the classroom setting include:

• Problems with forming and maintaining friendships 
• Embarrassment during playground games that involve hand-eye coordination, balance skills etc.
• Communication issues, such as misunderstanding what has been said, forgetfulness, not waiting your turn to speak etc.

At work, people with dyspraxia may experience similar issues to the ones they had at school, especially if they have not developed positive coping strategies and are not surrounded by supportive people. Additionally, the symptoms of dyspraxia may become more apparent during pressurised times such as when a deadline for a big project is looming. 

Dyspraxia often impacts a person’s memory, organisation and planning skills. This can cause problems with forming relationships, managing workloads and getting to social engagements on time. This may lead to stress and resentment, as well as isolation and loneliness.

Practising communication skills may help with socialising and forming friendships and maintaining relationships. Practical tips for improving communication skills include:

Coping Strategies for Psychological and Social Challenges 

There are a number of different coping strategies available to deal with the psychological and social challenges of having dyspraxia. What works for one person will not necessarily work for the next and a combination approach may work best. 

Coping strategies to deal with the psychological and social aspects of dyspraxia include:

• Emotional support and therapy such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) 
• Counselling services (delivered in person or online) 
• Social skills training  
• Occupational therapy 

Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)

CBT teaches lifelong techniques that can help with managing anxiety, stress and emotional regulation. It is a helpful tool that aims to identify the negative, unhelpful thoughts we have about ourselves and replace them with positive ones. 

Cognitive behavioural therapy can help people who are prone to negative self-talk or self-sabotage behaviours to feel happier, more confident and have higher self-esteem. It may also help people to develop stronger emotional regulation and to have greater self-control.  

Counselling services

Counselling (either in person or online) and support groups allow individuals to share stories about their experiences and challenges and receive emotional validation, learn coping strategies and become more empowered to tackle the challenges of having dyspraxia head-on. 

Additionally, support groups allow people to give support as well as receive it, making them feel more empowered and building a support network of understanding individuals around them.

Social skills training 

Social skills training (SST) are programmes designed to help participants (usually children) to address deficits in their social skills and learn techniques to strengthen their communication and interaction skills in a safe, structured environment. 

Social skills training for dyspraxia can help people to develop skills across a range of areas to improve their social interactions, for example:

• How to read non-verbal cues 
• Understanding social norms 
• Improving conversational abilities 
• How to ask for clarification rather than use avoidant strategies 

SST can be delivered in either a group or one-to-one setting and may include a mix of role-playing games, modelling behaviours and instructional methods. 

Occupational therapy 

The goal of occupational therapy for dyspraxia is to help individuals improve and develop functional skills and increase their ability to carry out daily tasks to the best of their ability. Occupational therapy interventions will depend on a person’s specific challenges and will include a mix of expert advice, signposting individuals and their families to help and support or suggesting useful equipment and adaptations. 

Occupational therapists will also be able to do a risk assessment to see how safe an individual is in their environment and what changes may need to be made. These risk assessments tend to focus on practical interventions and may not fully address an individual’s mental health needs, although they may be able to signpost you to help and support from a mental health service. 

It is essential for everyone to take steps to look after both their mental and physical health. If you have dyspraxia, in addition to practising coping strategies for the psychological and social challenges you may face, to support your wellbeing you should:

• Try to eat a healthy, balanced diet and stay hydrated
• Ensure you are getting enough good quality sleep each night
• Look after your mental health, reach out to your support network and make an appointment with your GP if you are struggling  
• Try to stay active – if dyspraxia makes it hard to play sport consider trying walking or jogging or practising an activity that will help you with your balance (such as yoga or tai chi) 
• Take time to relax and do things that you enjoy without stressing about perfection such as getting creative, cooking a meal, reading a book or listening to music 
• Try relaxation techniques to deal with stress such as deep breathing techniques or meditation 

Family Support and the Role of Caregivers 

Outcomes are usually better for people who have a strong support network around them. Family, friends and caregivers can play a key role in supporting people when they are struggling.

Family and caregivers can:

• Offer patience, empathy and understanding 
• Validate emotions and feelings 
• Model new ways to approach tasks or break them down into smaller, more manageable parts 
• Encourage social interaction, meeting new people or trying new things such as a new hobby 
• Help people to connect with others who have similar struggles and experiences

A support network can also offer assistance with some of the practical struggles that people with dyspraxia may face such as reminding them about appointments, helping them with tasks that require fine motor skills or keeping their spirits up and encouraging a positive outlook. 

Local groups have been set up around England and the Dyspraxia Foundation is aiming to expand these groups to ensure support is available throughout England and Wales. Joining a local support group offers benefits including:

• An informal and friendly environment to socialise without judgement
• Connection with like-minded members to share experiences
• Peer support and advice
• Social connection

When you are struggling, or finding certain aspects of life difficult, it is easy to become despondent and down. Having additional issues like dyspraxia can compound these feelings. Although having a support network is beneficial, it is also important to be your own advocate and not be afraid to:

• Make mistakes and learn from them
• Educate others about dyspraxia and let them know exactly how they can help or advise them about behaviours that make things worse for you
• Try something new and embrace change, even if it feels awkward at first 
• Request reasonable adjustments at work or in school to help you reach your potential 

Strategies for Educators and Employers 

Useful strategies that educators and employers can use to support children and adults with dyspraxia include:

• Creating an inclusive environment where everyone feels valued and welcome regardless of neurodivergence or difference
• Offering clear instructions and communicating in a range of different ways to find what works 
• Recognising and praising effort in addition to achievement 
• Making use of technological innovations that can support people who work, or learn, differently
• Showing empathy, compassion and understanding 

Employers and educational establishments should strive to make reasonable adjustments for people with dyspraxia and other conditions. If you have a condition that means you have a disability under the Equality Act 2010, your employer must make reasonable adjustments for you by law. 

Helpful adjustments for those with dyspraxia may include:

• Extra time to complete tasks or process information 
• Additional reminders about deadlines or offering tips to help with organisation
• Using alternative communication methods 
• Requesting suggestions or feedback from people with dyspraxia to find out how they view their needs and what would be helpful for them
• Being mindful of tasks during team activities (especially if they involve balance and coordination skills). Offer alternatives, modifications or make participation non-compulsory 
• Utilising ‘to do’ lists to track tasks and mark off when tasks are completed, which can help with motivation and developing a sense of achievement 
• Providing briefing notes about meetings, tasks and projects 
• Using bullet points in text to break it up and to help to focus attention 
• Investing in assistive software such as Read&Write

Innovations in Support for Dyspraxia 

• Assistive technology to help with schoolwork or tasks in the workplace including speech-to-text commands for those who struggle with writing, AI software and predictive writing programs
• Visual timetables and organisers 
• Special grip pens 
• Using online calendars or apps to help with planning and organisation (sometimes online planners can also be shared with others so they can remind you about upcoming events, deadlines or appointments) 

Some people with dyspraxia find that mind mapping can help with their cognitive functioning. Mind maps provide a visual representation using a non-linear method; they can be especially helpful to people who learn or think in a non-traditional way. 

Mind maps often use short phrases or singular words to convey ideas which can help with information recall. Mind maps can express complex concepts using a simple visual presentation which can get us thinking creatively and making connections between ideas. If you aren’t sure what a mind map looks like, you can view one here.

Conclusion 

Dyspraxia is a developmental condition that causes physical, social and psychological issues. Although the physical challenges of dyspraxia are reasonably well understood and accommodated, especially in schools, the psychological and social impacts are often downplayed or overlooked. 

Self-advocacy and self-care are key if your life is impacted by the symptoms of having dyspraxia. You can also try out some of the strategies we have discussed in this article to find what works for you.

It is also important to surround yourself with positive, understanding people who are willing to make adjustments to their arrangements so you can be included. Education, empathy and increased awareness about dyspraxia are fundamental in creating more diverse and inclusive environments.