Autism Therapy: dyspraxia (DCD)

definition of dyspraxia (DCD): Also called developmental coordination disorder. Dyspraxia results in problems with planning and motor coordination.

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You Can Know Me if You Listen: Sensory, Motor, and Communication Issues in a Nonverbal Person with Autism
The American Journal of Occupational Therapy, by Shoener, RF, Kinnealey M., and Koenig KP, published in 2008, summarized Nov 19, 2008

Occupational therapists may be able to help people with autism learn to feel their bodies and move their bodies better.

The authors begin the article by stating that while many people used to believe that people with autism are mentally retarded, people now know that this is not the case. This case study describes an intense approach to occupational therapy (OT). The goal of the occupational therapy was for David (age 18) to learn to self-regulate and learn to move freely. The therapy was based on listening to David's voice and hearing what David needed. David described what it felt like to live with sensory integration problems, motor speech problems, and problems moving.


Omega-3 DHA and EPA for Cognition, Behavior, and Mood: Clinical Findings and Structural-Functional Synergies with Cell Membrane Phospholipids
Alternative Medicine Review, by Kidd, PM, published in 2007, summarized Nov 28, 2007

The omega-3 fatty acids DHA and EPA may help behavior problems that are often found with autism.

This review article describes the research behind using omega-3 fatty acids as an autism therapy. In 2001, two groups of case histories found that children with autism had low levels of omega-3 fatty acids. In a different study, a group in Austria treated children who had autism and bad behavior with 1.5 grams per day of the omega-3 fatty acids DHA and EPA, and found that the bad behavior decreased. The author also describes other studies that show how omega 3 fatty acids help with other health problems such as attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), dyspraxia, and dyslexia. He concludes by suggesting that other supplements (astaxanthin, vitamin E, and coenzyme Q10) may also work with omega-3 fatty acids to help the brain.


Current Approaches to Intervention in Children with Developmental Coordination Disorder: Commentary
Developmental Medicine & Child Neurology, by Wann, J., published in 2007, summarized Aug 15, 2007

There is a lot of research going on right now on how and why children move the way they do.

In this article the author comments on the review by Sugden. He notes that developmental coordination disorder (DCD), which looks like clumsiness, is very common in school-aged children. DCD also often occurs with other problems, such as autism. He states that therapists still don't truly understand how DCD looks in children with autism versus how DCD looks in children with attention deficit disorder. The review focuses on how to help these children by targeting therapies at the tasks the children want to learn to do (riding a bike). Motor control research shows that in many cases the problems come when a child cannot switch his gaze from one part of the task to the next part of the task.


Current Approaches to Intervention in Children with Developmental Coordination Disorder
Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology, by Sugden, D., published in 2007, summarized Aug 14, 2007

Movement coaches can help focus their different therapies on teaching a child how to move better through space.

Some children with autism are clumsy (development coordination disorder (DCD)). There are not many therapies that have been shown to help children who are clumsy. This review article describes how sensory integration therapy can be one tool. In order for the therapy to work, the child has to be an active part of the therapy. Therapy should focus on tasks that have meaning for the child (e.g., riding a bicycle, drawing, and writing). Parents can also learn how they can help to change the task so that it is easier for the child.


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    • Synonyms for dyspraxia (DCD) include: DCD, developmental coordination disorder, dyspraxia
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