How to Live with Dyspraxia
Practice yoga., Meditate daily., Exercise to improve muscle strength., Practice sports to improve coordination., Use calendars and alarms., Keep a to do list., Break big tasks into smaller tasks., Watch videos that illustrate certain motor skills...
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Practice yoga.
One practice that can be very helpful in soothing the effects of your dyspraxia is yoga.
Yoga can help you develop better coordination, improve posture and breathing, and can also be very relaxing.
It is also a form of exercise.See if your local gym offers yoga classes or find some yoga videos online. -
Step 2: Meditate daily.
Dyspraxia can also affects you mentally, and you might feel that your thoughts are often jumbled or disorganized.
Meditate to combat this and to stay present and mindful in the moment.
Meditate on a word, quote, or mantra that soothes you like “peace” or “steadiness.”, Exercise can also help to improve your dyspraxia.
Hit up your local gym and lift some light weights to begin building your muscle strength.
Though you may eventually want to use larger weights, do so with caution.
Have someone to spot you just in case your muscles give way.Most gyms offer different weight machines that will make it easy for you to lift without having a spotter, as well. , In addition to exercise and yoga, sports are also a fun way to grow stronger and more coordinated.
Play sports like soccer, basketball, or tennis to help improve your motor skills while having fun and interacting with others.Check online to see if there are any local teams that you can join or play with your friends or family.
Take breaks when you get tired.
Don’t give the sport up if you feel that you are not doing well, however.
If you enjoy it, continue playing. , Having dyspraxia often means that you might need a bit more organization in order to have a productive day.
Utilize planners, calendars and alarms so that you don’t forget your responsibilities.
You can set up alerts on your phone to remind you of any projects, assignments or tasks that you need to complete., In addition to keeping a planner, also consider keeping a to-do list.
At the end of each night, write down everything that you need to do the following day.
Put it beside your bed or on your desk so that you don’t forget about it.
This will help ensure that you are organized and that your responsibilities are in order., Though large projects or new skills might seem difficult, breaking them into smaller tasks can make them seem less intimidating.
For instance, cooking a meal can seem daunting, but it is really a series of several small and simple parts.
Write down these list of small parts and then put it all together.For instance, if you are looking to cook rice, you will first have to find a pot.
Then go to the sink and fill the pot about halfway with water from the tap.
Then you will put the pot onto the stove.
Turn the burner on.
Add rice.
Set a timer.
When the timer goes off, turn off the stove.
And then enjoy your meal! , In addition to writing out a task step by step, you can also watch videos to help you learn basic motor coordination skills.
Search YouTube or other websites for videos on how to do things and then mimic the actions from the video.You can also pause it when necessary or restart it if you get confused. , Another issue you might be having in living with dyspraxia is self care.
Search for tools like blowdryers with attachments that will make it easier to dry your hair.
You can also purchase electric toothbrushes or razors.
Find other low maintenance items that you can use for other tasks or hygienic care that you might need., Though you can most certainly do many tasks on your own, other tasks may be a bit more difficult and require some professional experience.
One of the most difficult tasks for those living with dyspraxia is driving.
Driving requires many tasks to be completed simultaneously, like checking blind spots, using turn signals, and hitting the brakes.
Find an occupational therapist to help you develop the skills necessary to drive, if you are able., Many people you meet may never have heard of dyspraxia, but if you are seeking to have a friendship with them, then it will be important for you to explain.
Explain to them what the disorder is and how it affects you specifically.
Remember that you are not required to disclose your dyspraxia to your employer, but that if you need any accommodations, it may be necessary.For instance, you might say something like “Kelly, you may have noticed, but my motor skills are a bit different from most people you know.
That’s because I have dyspraxia, which is a developmental coordination disorder.
Mine is more moderate than severe, so I can complete most basic tasks like brushing my teeth or combing my hair, but it can be difficult.” , Though you should certainly seek to spend time in groups when you desire to, often times, people with dyspraxia fare a bit better in a more intimate setting.
Attend small dinners with friends or go to the movies with a few coworkers.
Avoid overwhelming yourself with crowded atmospheres.It is often easier to make connections in these personal settings and to develop stronger friendships. , Though you can certainly develop ways to manage and improve your dyspraxia, it is also important to focus on coping with the emotional and physical realities of it.
Though dyspraxia is incurable, many people have found support groups to help cope with the disorder.
Search for groups near you., One support system that you have that you can rely on is your family.
Spend some time with your parents each week and go to dinner.
Invite your cousins to come over and watch a movie.
Having some quality social interaction with the people who love you most is critical in successfully living with the disorder., In addition to seeking an occupational therapist for large tasks like driving, consider occupational therapy in general to assist you in learning other basic tasks.
These therapists can help teach you basic everyday skills that will be necessary for work or home, like bathing or even walking., Dyspraxia can also affect speech just as it affects motor skills.
A speech therapist can help you to develop the skills that you will need to be able to communicate well and effectively.
They can teach strategies on how to develop a more consistent speech pattern, as well., Another form of therapy that some with dyspraxia utilize is equine therapy.
Equine therapy is horse therapy, during which time the participant will ride a horse as a way to achieve better balance and coordination.
Equine therapy has been proven to improve dyspraxia symptoms by stimulating cognition, improving mood, and reducing the amount of support needed when walking afterwards., Though some might see dyspraxia as a limitation, people with the disorder are often highly creative.
You likely have to problem solve more on a day to day basis than those without the disorder, as they do not have the same limitations as you.
Use this to your advantage and celebrate the person that you are. -
Step 3: Exercise to improve muscle strength.
-
Step 4: Practice sports to improve coordination.
-
Step 5: Use calendars and alarms.
-
Step 6: Keep a to do list.
-
Step 7: Break big tasks into smaller tasks.
-
Step 8: Watch videos that illustrate certain motor skills.
-
Step 9: Find low maintenance self-care tools.
-
Step 10: Find professionals who can help with larger tasks.
-
Step 11: Explain your condition to others.
-
Step 12: Spend time on a one-on-one basis.
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Step 13: Find a support group.
-
Step 14: Spend time with family.
-
Step 15: See an occupational therapist.
-
Step 16: Consider speech therapy.
-
Step 17: Look into equine therapy.
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Step 18: Keep a positive mindset.
Detailed Guide
One practice that can be very helpful in soothing the effects of your dyspraxia is yoga.
Yoga can help you develop better coordination, improve posture and breathing, and can also be very relaxing.
It is also a form of exercise.See if your local gym offers yoga classes or find some yoga videos online.
Dyspraxia can also affects you mentally, and you might feel that your thoughts are often jumbled or disorganized.
Meditate to combat this and to stay present and mindful in the moment.
Meditate on a word, quote, or mantra that soothes you like “peace” or “steadiness.”, Exercise can also help to improve your dyspraxia.
Hit up your local gym and lift some light weights to begin building your muscle strength.
Though you may eventually want to use larger weights, do so with caution.
Have someone to spot you just in case your muscles give way.Most gyms offer different weight machines that will make it easy for you to lift without having a spotter, as well. , In addition to exercise and yoga, sports are also a fun way to grow stronger and more coordinated.
Play sports like soccer, basketball, or tennis to help improve your motor skills while having fun and interacting with others.Check online to see if there are any local teams that you can join or play with your friends or family.
Take breaks when you get tired.
Don’t give the sport up if you feel that you are not doing well, however.
If you enjoy it, continue playing. , Having dyspraxia often means that you might need a bit more organization in order to have a productive day.
Utilize planners, calendars and alarms so that you don’t forget your responsibilities.
You can set up alerts on your phone to remind you of any projects, assignments or tasks that you need to complete., In addition to keeping a planner, also consider keeping a to-do list.
At the end of each night, write down everything that you need to do the following day.
Put it beside your bed or on your desk so that you don’t forget about it.
This will help ensure that you are organized and that your responsibilities are in order., Though large projects or new skills might seem difficult, breaking them into smaller tasks can make them seem less intimidating.
For instance, cooking a meal can seem daunting, but it is really a series of several small and simple parts.
Write down these list of small parts and then put it all together.For instance, if you are looking to cook rice, you will first have to find a pot.
Then go to the sink and fill the pot about halfway with water from the tap.
Then you will put the pot onto the stove.
Turn the burner on.
Add rice.
Set a timer.
When the timer goes off, turn off the stove.
And then enjoy your meal! , In addition to writing out a task step by step, you can also watch videos to help you learn basic motor coordination skills.
Search YouTube or other websites for videos on how to do things and then mimic the actions from the video.You can also pause it when necessary or restart it if you get confused. , Another issue you might be having in living with dyspraxia is self care.
Search for tools like blowdryers with attachments that will make it easier to dry your hair.
You can also purchase electric toothbrushes or razors.
Find other low maintenance items that you can use for other tasks or hygienic care that you might need., Though you can most certainly do many tasks on your own, other tasks may be a bit more difficult and require some professional experience.
One of the most difficult tasks for those living with dyspraxia is driving.
Driving requires many tasks to be completed simultaneously, like checking blind spots, using turn signals, and hitting the brakes.
Find an occupational therapist to help you develop the skills necessary to drive, if you are able., Many people you meet may never have heard of dyspraxia, but if you are seeking to have a friendship with them, then it will be important for you to explain.
Explain to them what the disorder is and how it affects you specifically.
Remember that you are not required to disclose your dyspraxia to your employer, but that if you need any accommodations, it may be necessary.For instance, you might say something like “Kelly, you may have noticed, but my motor skills are a bit different from most people you know.
That’s because I have dyspraxia, which is a developmental coordination disorder.
Mine is more moderate than severe, so I can complete most basic tasks like brushing my teeth or combing my hair, but it can be difficult.” , Though you should certainly seek to spend time in groups when you desire to, often times, people with dyspraxia fare a bit better in a more intimate setting.
Attend small dinners with friends or go to the movies with a few coworkers.
Avoid overwhelming yourself with crowded atmospheres.It is often easier to make connections in these personal settings and to develop stronger friendships. , Though you can certainly develop ways to manage and improve your dyspraxia, it is also important to focus on coping with the emotional and physical realities of it.
Though dyspraxia is incurable, many people have found support groups to help cope with the disorder.
Search for groups near you., One support system that you have that you can rely on is your family.
Spend some time with your parents each week and go to dinner.
Invite your cousins to come over and watch a movie.
Having some quality social interaction with the people who love you most is critical in successfully living with the disorder., In addition to seeking an occupational therapist for large tasks like driving, consider occupational therapy in general to assist you in learning other basic tasks.
These therapists can help teach you basic everyday skills that will be necessary for work or home, like bathing or even walking., Dyspraxia can also affect speech just as it affects motor skills.
A speech therapist can help you to develop the skills that you will need to be able to communicate well and effectively.
They can teach strategies on how to develop a more consistent speech pattern, as well., Another form of therapy that some with dyspraxia utilize is equine therapy.
Equine therapy is horse therapy, during which time the participant will ride a horse as a way to achieve better balance and coordination.
Equine therapy has been proven to improve dyspraxia symptoms by stimulating cognition, improving mood, and reducing the amount of support needed when walking afterwards., Though some might see dyspraxia as a limitation, people with the disorder are often highly creative.
You likely have to problem solve more on a day to day basis than those without the disorder, as they do not have the same limitations as you.
Use this to your advantage and celebrate the person that you are.
About the Author
Denise Stokes
Creates helpful guides on DIY projects to inspire and educate readers.
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