We asked you, all of our burning questions about dyspraxia and Christmas, and in true community spirit, your answers came to the rescue, helping us tackle our festive woes together.
Hi my name is Isla, I was diagnosed with dyspraxia when I was 13. The thing I found hardest about having dyspraxia is the way I feel different from everyone. I feel like when I am in a busy environment I can hear everything single noise.
When it is a warm sunny day, I think back to my time at Primary School. Fond memories of May Day come into my mind. I remember wearing my hair in plaits and dancing around the Maypole. I remember the beautifully bright coloured ribbons, and the spectacular patterns we weaved with them. I have a little giggle to myself, when I remember that my school Celebrated May Day in June! I think this was when the SATS had finished.
The opportunity to travel is now a widely accepted privilege in the modern world. Thousands of young people have grasped the opportunity with both hands. Some backpackers may have been as nervous as me, some may not. We are all different. I would like to exemplify that as someone who is currently travelling the world and is neurodiverse.
I had always wanted to dance, long before Strictly was on our television screens, but I never had a chance as a child, mostly because I was considered too shy for lessons.
Starting university can be exciting. Yet, for students with dyspraxia, it often comes with extra hurdles. Dyspraxia affects movement and coordination, making everyday tasks more difficult. But with the right support and mindset, students can thrive. Understanding your condition and knowing how to adapt is key to turning challenges into opportunities for growth.
I first realised that my dyspraxia was going to come into play in motherhood before my first day as a mother. It was April 16th, 2020, and the hospital was in a frenzy surrounding COVID. Being in the hospital to give birth, particularly after having been isolated during the tense first month of COVID, didn’t feel real.
Janet Taylor has been a vital figure in raising awareness of dyspraxia, providing resources and support for the community through her writing. Her book, Dyspraxic Adults: An Empowering Guide, is an updated version of her earlier work, ensuring that dyspraxic individuals and their families continue to have access to much-needed information. As part of our Women’s History Month issue, we spoke to Janet about her work, the challenges of advocacy, and her advice for dyspraxic women and girls.
Supporting and Advocating for People with DCD/Dyspraxia
“What is up with my brain?” This is a question I wrestled with for years. When I was 5 years old, I was diagnosed with DCD or Developmental Coordination Disorder. There are many accommodations and opportunities I wish I could have accessed when I was first learning about and coming to terms with my DCD/dyspraxia. There are several types of people who play a part in the dyspraxia community, and two are discussed below.
There I was at the age of 57, having an assessment by an educational psychologist with special expertise in specific learning difficulties. She identified that I had a learning profile showing dyspraxic characteristics. At the time, I was a Head of Department and Professor of Analytical Chemistry at the University of Hull in the East Riding of Yorkshire, so it could be considered as a bit strange to request an assessment so late in my career.
