Dyspraxia Awareness Week 2020 (4th – 10th October)
This year so far has been a real whirlwind, to say the least, affecting many, many people. In fact, pretty much everyone has been caught up in the turmoil that is 2020. With countless peoples’ mental health being tested and pushed to the absolute limit, it’s all too simple to forget something really important. There are indivudals, who during “normal” times, have their mental health pushed to the absolute brink. 2020 wasn’t an opportunity for those who have an extremly strong handle on their mental health to “catch-up” with those who struggle because those who struggle normally are more than likely struggling even more.
This is what makes Dyspraxia Awareness Week 2020 just as important as the previous awareness weeks it has had.
What is Dyspraxia?
In short, dyspraxia is a hidden disability that affects many areas of development. It is also known as Developmental Co-ordination Disorder (DCD). The main aspects affected are:
Speech and Language
Planning and Organisation
Physical and Stamina
For more information on What is dyspraxia then follow this link:
The COVID-19 Pandemic and Dyspraxia
With dyspraxia affecting mental health the pandemic only magnifies these issues. You have the added stress, anxiety, and – potentially – depression. Then there’s the whole deal with masks. With dyspraxia there is a high chance of sensory issues, so having to wear a mask can trigger anxiety or even cause a panic attack. As dyspraxia is a hidden disability and is still not commoningly known, the understanding and awareness behind these issues is limited. This lack of understanding causes even more stress and anxiety due to potentially getting judged. Another fact to to consider is many people with dyspraxia need a strong routine, myself included on that. The pandemic has made it near impossible to maintain a routine due to the constant changes happening everywhere. It’s not a simple case of “putting up with it” because dyspraxia doesn’t allow that kind of thinking.
It is estimated that dyspraxia affects around the same amount of people as dyslexia. Yet, being as common as dyslexia it is no where nearly as well known. This is why awareness for dyspraxia is extremely important, to get it to a level it deserves. After awareness can come understanding, acceptance, and support all vital steps for those with dyspraxia.
Dyspraxia Foundation – (dyspraxiafoundation.org.uk)
The Dyspraxia Foundation is a charity dedicated to Dyspraxia and DCD and have done remarkable work in making dyspraxia more well known. Not only that, but they have done so much to support those with dyspraxia. Their awareness weeks, inluding this one, helps put dyspraxia on the map. Without the hard work the people behind this charity, who knows where dyspraxia would stand in society – if at all?
Just by reading this post you have contributed to the awareess week. My goal for this blog is to help get dyspraxia the recognition it deserves, no matter how minor it maybe. Please help further the awareness by spreading the word of dyspraxia.
For more information about dyspraxia check out my awareness page:
Thanks once again and take care!
See you next post.