dyspraxia
Pronunciation: dis-PRAK-see-ah
A neurological condition affecting the planning and execution of purposeful movements despite adequate strength and coordination.
Full Definition
Dyspraxia, also known as developmental coordination disorder in children or apraxia in adults, is a neurologically-based condition that affects the ability to plan and execute coordinated movement sequences. Individuals with dyspraxia have difficulty with motor planning - the cognitive process of conceiving, organizing, and carrying out unfamiliar motor tasks. This impacts both gross motor skills (like riding a bicycle) and fine motor skills (like handwriting or using utensils). The condition is not due to muscle weakness, sensory impairments, or intellectual disability, but rather reflects difficulties in the brain's motor planning systems. In occupational therapy practice, dyspraxia significantly impacts academic performance, self-care skills, and participation in age-appropriate activities, requiring specialized intervention approaches focused on motor planning strategies.
Usage
Usage note: In adults, typically called apraxia; in children, may be diagnosed as developmental coordination disorder.
In Context
- "The child's dyspraxia manifests as difficulty with novel motor tasks such as learning to tie shoes or ride a bicycle." — Pediatric evaluation report
- "Intervention strategies for dyspraxia include breaking complex tasks into smaller components and providing verbal cues for motor planning." — Treatment documentation