Dyspraxia and learning
Classroom strategies supporting students' learning and wellbeing across the curriculum.
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Understanding dyspraxia
Learn about key concepts and terms, and the concerns and experiences of students with dyspraxia.
Summary of important concepts:
Strategies for action
Four key strategies to support students with dyspraxia in their learning
Identify needs and how to provide support
Work closely with the student and their whānau. Take an evidence-based, team approach to support learning and wellbeing. Monitor progress closely.
Three suggestions for implementing this strategy:
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Gather information to inform practice
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Organisations, programmes and resources
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- Resources
Key areas to support
Motor skills, personal organisation, social interaction, and positive behaviour are areas students with Dyspraxia may need some specific support. Explore recommended approaches.
There is no cure for dyspraxia, and children do not outgrow it. However, children do get better at doing certain tasks over time with lots of practice and feedback. Occupational therapy and speech therapy, along with other tools and strategies, may help improve symptoms. For older children, learning to use a keyboard may help with writing.
Four suggestions for implementing this strategy:
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- Video
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Support self-management and organisation
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Includes:
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Helpful classroom strategies years 1-8
Approaches that support students with dyspraxia are often valuable for all students. Refer to Key areas to support in this guide for more advice on supporting motor skills, self-management, social interaction and positive behaviour.
Four suggestions for implementing this strategy:
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Support participation and confidence
Includes:
- Video
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Present information in different ways
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- Video
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Support processing and organisation
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Provide options for students to create, learn and share
Includes:
- Video
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Helpful classroom strategies years 9-13
Approaches that support students with dyspraxia are often valuable for all students. Refer to Key areas to support in this guide for more advice on supporting motor skills, self-management, social interaction and positive behaviour.
For the adolescent with DCD [developmental co-ordination disorder or dyspraxia] to flourish, he needs to develop a clear understanding of his strengths. At the same time the school needs to offer a variety of routes for the adolescent to be able to reach his goal.
Amanda Kirby, The adolescent with developmental co-ordination disorder (DCD), p 91
Four suggestions for implementing this strategy:
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Support participation and confidence
Includes:
- Video
- Resources
-
Present information in different ways
Includes:
- Video
- Resources
-
Support processing and organisation
Includes:
- Video
- Resources
-
Provide options for students to create, learn and share
Includes:
- Resources
Key resources
Developmental dyspraxia: A resource for educators
This booklet examines how dyspraxia can influence learning and provides strategies teachers can use in the classroom.
- Download PDF (1.4 MB)
How dyspraxia can influence learning
A summary of the challenges students with dyspraxia experience at school, with an outline of teaching opportunities to support learning.
- Download PDF (416 KB)
Dystalk – YouTube
Read time: 2 min
A catalogue of videos describing ways to support people with dyslexia, dyspraxia, ADHD/ADD, dyscalculia. No captions or transcripts are available.
Publisher: Dystalk (YouTube)
M.A.T.C.H. flyers: A resource for educators
Read time: 29 min
M.A.T.C.H. is a set of principles which help educators ensure the activity and environment are right for a child with a coordination disorder.
Publisher: CanChild, McMaster University
Dyspraxia – Classroom guidelines
Practical strategies you can use to support primary school aged children with dyspraxia.
How to use this site
Guide to Index of the guide: Dyspraxia and learning
Understand:
Strategies for action:
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Identify needs and how to provide supportShow suggestions for Identify needs and how to provide support
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Key areas to supportShow suggestions for Key areas to support
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Helpful classroom strategies years 1-8Show suggestions for Helpful classroom strategies years 1-8
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Helpful classroom strategies year 9-13Show suggestions for Helpful classroom strategies year 9-13