As discussed in the first post, Dyspraxia is a difference in the way the brain sends neural messages. This means the brian processes information differently from neurotypical people.
I cannot emphasises enough that dyspraxia is not a disorder, and the differences in information processing and sending messages are not deficits. They are different compared to neurotypicals.
Differences in information processing can cause a lot of different behaviours, as discussed in the three components episode last week, that appear on a spectrum- and every person experiences these behaviours differently. Some of these behaviours are often framed as challanges as they may cause us to think, plan or act in a way that does not align with neurotypicals. Although, my fine motor skills often do cause challanges! We typically enxpriences differences or difficulties with our working memory, and planning and organising movement, perception, language and thought.
Society’s awareness and understanding of dyspraxia are sparse, and research tends to focus on children as oposed to balancing our udnerstanding of both adults and children. Alack of knowledge and understanding has led to misunderstanding and a hyper-focused on what ‘can’t’ be done because of dyspraxia. Moreover, common misconceptions, such as dyspraxia makes you ‘clumsy’, simplify a complex and multi-faceted neurological difference. Our understanding of dyspraxia is also deficit focussed, although this is changing slowly, historically our many strengths fail to be researched, understtod or chanpioned.
We need to also be curious about and advocate for the many good this about being neurodivergent. Whilst also challanging harmful nurotyoical expectations, comparisons and norms.
What are our strengths?
See the images below with dyspraxia strengths:
(DCD Strengths and Weaknesses: https://www.geniuswithin.org/what-is-neurodiversity/dcd-dyspraxia/)
Remploy succinctly summaries dyspraxic strengths:
'Good holistic/strategic thinking
Problem-solving – alternative and innovative solutions
Visual thinker/explainer
Able to identify patterns, links and inter-relationships
Analytical and observant with an eye for detail
Thorough and methodical
Determination, resilience and motivation
Open-minded, considerate, patient with others and empathetic
Able to develop their own strategies to overcome difficulties'.
As you can see the many strengths depicted in the list and images are vital to social work practice and are key core characteristics needed to be a social worker. If supported to lean into our neurodiversity and not forced ot comply with neurotypical practices our strengths will be able to thrive and support our practice. Below we will examine a few of these strengths in more detail.
For example, we are often creative and think of things from a different perspective. This can make an incredible difference when thinking of how to work with children and families. Rather than setting up and defaulting to an unimaginative, unengaging and boring (from the perspective of anyone!) conversation that only seeks to gater information which will help you assess risk and which only engages the cortex of the parent or child, we are more likely to get on our hands and knees and participate in creative direct work. We can capture their world and voice through direct work which supports converstaion, understanding and trusting relationships.
Using our visual thinking and explaining we can helo family emebers understand one another's worlds.
Moreover, when supporting children and families, we are more able to see the world from the perspectives of the child, parent, carer or family member, which can help us understand family system and how individuals in the family experience their world. This can support us in helping to create change where families want and need it, building relationships, earning trust and supporting children and families.
Despite experiencing difficulties in our short-term memory, our long term memory is often exceptional. Clear nostalgic memories about events and childhood often warmly wrap me and remembering families/professionals after not seeing them for years is the relational investment we all need. I often find I remember little bits of information that seemed irrelevant at the time, but when brought up to a child, parent, carer or professional strengthed our relationships and work togher.
Furthermore, dyspraxia has provided me with humorous moments which I will hold and laugh about forever. For example, finally saying “I get it!” five minutes after a joke has been said because I took it too literally at first; stopping dead in my tracks because a change in lighting has rendered me unable to see; or creating jingles to process information.
Learning about Dyspraxia and how it impacts my day-to-day life has enabled me to better understand what make me tick - how I work, interact and learn. Because of this, I have developed stratgies specific to my needs which support me in my life. Thus, Dyspraxia has been a strength as it has made me learn about myself and how i think, which has helped me thenfold.
Lots of successful people are diagnosed with Dyspraxia- however, the more famous you are the more people are aware of it. Successful famous people with a diagnosis of dyslexia include:
• Cara Delevingne
• Daniel Radcliffe
• Albert Einstein
• Florence Welch
• Jamie Oliver
So as you can see because of the way our brain works and because of challenges we have had to overcome in childhood and day-to-day life, people with dyspraxia have a number of strengths.
Check out the next post, which looks at how to manage the challenges experienced by dyspraxic people in a workplace (and society) designed by and for renurotypical people. More importantly, we will discuss how to utilise our strengths.
Thank you for reading!
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