Dyspraxia Awareness

This week is National Dyspraxia Awareness Week and I couldn't let it go by without adding something here on our family blog, because it is a part of our lives, like it or not.

We don't talk about dyspraxia alot. In fact, I don't even know if Evan knows what the word means, or its meaning in relation to his life. This is not to say that Evan doesn't know he is different, or that we don't recognize his struggles. Its just that we have never formally labeled his disability for him. I guess I felt that giving it a name didn't make things harder or easier in his life.

The fact is, no one really talks about dyspraxia alot. Its known as the "hidden disorder" because most children go undiagnosed and struggle their whole early childhood with the disability. Evan nearly went undiagnosed as well. We had multiple evaluations and consultations done before we finally pinpointed (with the help of a neurologist) dyspraxia at 5 years old.

It astounds me now that it took 5 years to diagnose Evan because when I read the 12 early childhood signs of dyspraxia Evan had nearly all of them (irritable and difficult to comfort from birth, feeding difficulties, milk allergies, colic, sleeping difficulties, delayed motor development, no crawling, toilet training delays, avoidance of constructional toys like jigsaws).

But what amazes me the most is that after a proper diagnosis, the effect proper treatment had! Evan has come so far in just a year's time, with hard work, dedication and his ever present perseverance, as well as some FABULOUS therapists and service providers. Evan has effectively made up YEARS of lost motor skills, muscle tone and balance in just under a year's time! He has built up his self esteem (low self worth is a huge issue that dyspraxics deal with in life due to daily struggles), confidence and motor skills. Its amazing the transformation he has experienced.

Im extremely hopeful for his future and that is something I could not have said a year ago. I am grateful for our wonderful neurologist who pointed us in the correct direction by diagnosing Evan properly. I wish for all parents of children with undiagnosed dyspraxia enlightenment so that they can pursue a path of therapy and treatment for their children.

You can find out more about dyspraxia here: http://www.dyspraxiausa.org/