Dyspraxic Adults

At a very young age I had problems learning how to do simple tasks that involved using my hands such as tieing shoelaces, tieing knots, holding a pencil and writing etc. There are still some tasks I struggle with on occassions that involve the use of my hands. I used to avoid PE and games at school because I was rubbish at anything to do with throwing or kicking a ball for example. I remember getting dressed was something that took me a long time to be able to master as a child. I have thought of a few examples from the workplace while they are fresh in my memory. I am aware there is something wrong somewhere and I have joined this forum because I have been reading about the condition and I think I could be affected due to the way I struggle with certain tasks involving the use of my hands or tasks that require coordination or a creative thought process. Have a read of the examples below. From reading the examples do you think it is possible I could have dyspraxia and should I consider being tested?


1. Was asked to pack some phones into boxes. The boxes needed to be opened in a certain way. It was almost as though my brain couldnt grasp the correct way the box should have been opened and I ended up ripping part of the box. Struggled putting the phone into the plastic cover and fitting it in the box correctly. Had a bit of trouble trying to close the box the correct way, Once I had done 1 box it was easier to do the rest.

2. Was asked to change some labels on the phones. The labels were covered with some plastic. Was unsure how to remove the plastic. I asked my manager and he said try using scissors to pull the plastic down. Took me a while to grasp the correct way to remove the plastic with the scissors.

3. My coat was hanging on a coat peg and got twisted so I couldnt get my coat of the peg. Never even occured to me what had happened was stood there struggling to get the coat off the peg. All I needed to so was move my coat round to untwist it but never even thought to do it.

4. I have struggled to unlock certain cupboards and doors in some cases the locks seem more awkward.

5. I once embarassed myself in front of people at work when it took me a bit of time to figure out the correct way to open some blinds.

6. I have on occassions had problems opening tins with my hands.

7. Sometimes struggle to open carrier bags at self service checkouts in supermarkets - When you have to pull them off (not sure if I have explained this too well)

8. I was given a task to do at work where I had to use a tape measure to measure some cables. Struggled to measure accurately using the tape measure and could not figure out the best way to perform the task.
Sometimes I struggle with tasks if it is something new or if something is differant from my usual routine.

I feel very low and down about myself when I encounter sitchuations like the ones mentioned above. It is almost as though I am not capable of performing certain tasks unless it is something I have done over and over and I have been given clear instructions.

However..

I am exceptional at remembering directions (from an early age I used to remember routes to places we went in the car) and finding places by the use of maps, logic puzzles (could do them from an early age), planning my finances and journey planning. Good with anything to do with numbers and have a good memory. Even though my coordination is generally poor I believe I am a very good and safe driver and my forward planning is very good.

Any advice would be appreciated. Thought it would be a good idea to list some of my strong points as well to give you a good idea where I am with things.

Hi Tony.

There are several acknowledged symptoms of Dyspraxia and each person will have a different combination of them.

Like you my co-ordination is relatively ok (although not brilliant) and I am able to driver a relatively good standard. I'm also relatively quick in a go-kart. Although that might have more to do with my intellectual understanding of driving dynamics than my ultimate co-ordination and reflexes.

Hi Jim

Would you say I have dyspraxia based on what I have said in my post? I realise the condition can affect people in differant ways.

Hi Tony welcome to the forums [or fora].

I don't think it's our place to say.Yes you do seem to have some dyspraxic tendencies looking at the things you described having difficulty with and the reactions/emotions to those situations.

Finding somewhere/someone to do the testing and accessing support/followup is patchy and can in itself be draining. You don't necessarily need a formal 'diagnosis'but it can be helpful in accepting oneself. Don't feel you have to be defined by it n feel free to read and pos ton this site

Hi Tom

I am almost certain I have dyspraxic tendencies and although I have not had a diagnosis I am starting to come to terms with accepting myself and not pulling myself. Finding this forum was a big help and I am actually starting to feel happier in myself knowing that there is some sort of explanation to how I am. I did not even know there was such a thing as dypraxia until recently. It helps me put things into perspective. I have always been aware there has been some sort of problem but didnt know what it was. Another thing worth mentioning is that new tasks that I am not familiar with sometimes take a bit of time to get my head around especially if they are not explained properly. I have just started a new job and the system we use it quite difficult to pick up in places. I do not work well when I am being watched and someone is rushing through everything criticizing me when I dont pick things up as quickly as they would like. Sadly this is something I experienced today. The problem was I couldnt understand what they were trying to do on the system and could not figure out where on the system they wanted to me to look and what it was related to. This person got very impatient, accused me of avoiding the part of the system. I feel like I dont want to go back now. Its not my fault it takes me longer to pick up new skills. Why do people have to be so impatient.

People are generally impatient because they looking at things from their own perspective and therefore can't see or acknowledge when someone struggles with what they take for granted. Everyone is guilty of that from time to time (us included).

A blind person can't see ...people accept that , a deaf person can't hear that accepted and for many but not all dyspraxic people our body position sense is not quite what it should be, we have to look at what we are doing more than sensing it but instead of acceptance sadly people tell us we are thick ....and for the record we are not !