Young dyspraxia

[Girl265]

I think i may be alot younger than most people on this website. I'm 15 years old. I've never really been sat down and explained to what dyspraxia is exactly or when I have all I've heard are long words that I can't seem to comprehend. I have been told though that I don't have a severe case of dyspraxia but that it definitely effects my social and educational life. I've been reading some of the posts and noticed a lot of things on dyspraxia that I haven't heard of and was wondering if someone could explain to me a little bit about how different things help them keep organised or focused. Also my parents don't seem to understand dyspraxia and it is very difficult to explain how frustrating it can be at times. Any of your feedback would be appreciated.

[Creative]

Hi, there is a website for Dyspraxic Teens. I have posted the address below.
www.dyspraxicteens.org.uk

I'm 27 and was diagnosed with Dyspraxia when I was 15. Being organised is tricky. It helps to plan ahead and to get things organised in advance if you can. To help you keep focused it helps to concentrate on a task for a short while like half and hour and then have a break and go back to it. Hope this is helpful.

[Tim G]

With focusing etc - what exactly is it which happens to affect your focus - are you distracted by other things, is it too much to concentrate on one thing a time for a amount of time etc.
If your distracted by external sensory sources it may be a idea to limet thies external affects by being alone while you work or do somthing which requires concentration and remove any external stimulus etc.
If its too much to consentrate on one thing at a time this could be due to it just getting too much for you - therefor take a brake from it. Also try using diffrent cloured paper or overlays which limet glare and save your processing etc.

With keeping organised I use my Mac for diary, saving items etc, I also print out things and keep then in folders with deviders etc. I keep essential / needed stuff in my bag and i take that with me everywhere - that way its allways there close to hand.

About parents - check out the dyspraxicia foundation websight (http://www.dyspraxiafoundation.org.uk/index.php) - that has lots of usefull infomation on there for them so direct them to that - it could help.

[pongosam]

hii im 16 and also suffer from dyspraxia i have been diagnosed since i has a toddler nice to know there are teenagers out there suffeing from the same condition felt alone i dont know anyone my age who suffers from it :~)

[Jim]

I don't think there are many people who do understand dyspraxia and that includes people diagnosed with it.

No one ever explained to me what it is, I wasn't specifically aware I had it later until later in life despite being dual diagnosed with it as a wee young nipper.

It's taken insight into my own personal personality and coping mechanisms and carrying out my own research before I could start to say that I understand dyspraxia.

Yet... Do I really understand dyspraxia or do I simply understand myself?

[lauraECFan]

I was diagnosed quite young so I have had a while to learn how it affects me. I am 20 now but still struggle with some day to day things such as remembering to brush my teeth (still somehow have never had toothache despite not having a dentist) but I tend to now try and remember about ten minutes before I go to bed

[nickye]

Hi everyone
I so wish I'd known about dyspraxia when I was a child (although I think not so much was known about it way back then - I'm 44 now!) It's certainly worth knowing, as already my life is improving a lot since reading about it, and speaking to people at the local Dyspraxia Foundation group. I always felt there was something not quite right, but couldn't put my finger on it.
Especially for younger people (but for everyone else it's good too) I'd definitely recommend "Caged in Chaos" by Victoria Biggs (Jessica Kingsley Publishers). It's changed my life to be honest, to know that there are other people out there. I agree with you Shadwell, wouldn't it have been good to have the Internet before? Although not sure I would have got any homework done at all!! But it's so great to share these things, because other people, even when they're well-meaning, just don't really understand.
On a more positive note, I often find that just quite simple things make a difference - but I often find I need to be told things in detail, I don't seem to just pick up on everyday things like how to organise myself. I've started writing down everything I have to do in one A4 book and it's really helped (instead of my usual scraps of paper, back of envelopes, post-it notes etc). I also organise my shopping list under headings of fruit/veg/meat etc. This may sound really obvious, but often my mind is so chaotic!
I wish more was known about dyspraxia, but I think there is a lot of help out there - but probably more through voluntary organisations/books than on the NHS. Not that I'm running down the NHS, I think it's brilliant generally, and I know it's short of cash. Often though, we don't need lots of expensive help, just some tips how to do things, and most of all, what's helped me is to know that I'm not alone and through reading these forums you realise there are lots of people in this position.
Good luck to everybody - and sorry for rambling on (as usual!)