question about dyspraxia, thanks

[anniebear]

Can I just ask.?

My friends DD is nearly 4, was very prem (25 weeks) and is registered blind, although she can see something out of one eye, knows colours, can point to some things in books.

Recently my friend got told got told DD may be dyspraxic.

she does have a bit of a funny walk and run, hands everywhere, walks into things a bit. Behind in fine motor skills, self help. Isn't to keen on other children being to near her,(especially my two loud boisterous ones!!!!!!) and would rather play along side than with them.

I was a bit suprised as was my Friend, as we just put down those things to her sight problems. Surely a child with very limited vision is going to have problems with those things I mentioned?

I don't have too much Knowledge on dyspraxia, only what I have read on here.

Any thoughts?
Thanks

[LIZS]

I think you are right to an extent but with dyspraxia there can be a lack of own body awareness which causes motor difficulties beyond those of a visual impairment. It is to do with how the different parts of the brain communicate, or not, which then translates into physical issues.

So for example, she may be trying to do something specific such as manipulate a toy but may not be able to mentally refine the movement to just the appropriate wrist or finger action, perhaps moving her mouth other hand or whole arm as well. With ds (who is not diagnosed as dyspraxic but has motor skill issues) when he used to write he'd use his whole arm and make searching motions with tongue and mouth as he tried to focus on it. That became quickly very tiring for him so he'd only do the bare minimum and disliked activities such as colouring as a preschooler.

It can also cause difficulties with spatial awareness, in anticipating and reacting to the actions of others, so cooperative play and team sports are hard, and subconsciously they learn to avoid such situations.

Hope this helps but I'm not sure I've explained it very well. I have recently been reading Developmental Dyspraxia by Madeleine Portwood (thanks for the recommendation, Jimjams) and there is a lot in there to which we can relate.