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Ana Maria Rodriguez

Author of books for children and adults, Society of Children's Book Writers & Illustrators

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Raising public awareness about dyspraxia

A boy throws a baseball, and it flies to the wrong direction. A girl tries to stop a soccer ball with her foot, and it passes her by. A woman is sewing a tablecloth, and the stiches turn out crooked. Others easily lose balance, have trouble writing straight or tying shoe laces, like Daniel Radcliffe (Harry Potter). One in ten people in the USA have problems with this fine or gross motor coordination, called dyspraxia. Little is known about it and most people have not heard of it. People with dyspraxia, children and adults alike, are often teased or underestimated because of their condition. In many cases, they are up to other challenges, academic for example, just as well as people without the condition. They have to find what their strenghts are and pursue them. Public awareness will help them cope with their life-long condition. Sounds like a person you know? Check dyspraxiaUSA.org for more information and stories. Please, contribute your comments and questions. Thank you!

Topics: Learning difficulties awareness dyslexia self esteem
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  • Marsha Hollingsworth

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    Aug 16 2011: Ana Maria, I am thinking about graduate school. I don't want to pursue grad school unless I know what I want to do. I would want to pursue a masters in special education or social work. Trying to find a job in the economy is difficult but it is harder if you have a speech impediment. I also have worked in a lot of different things. I have a job that only comes once a year where I utilize my thinking skills. The job I have at Pearson is only for a few months & you need to have a college degree. I write a lot btw & I am trying to publish my work. I went Bureau of Vocational Rehab for help years ago. My counselor, vendor & job coaches were a major waste. One job coach tried to get me into jobs in which I was not cut out for. People in this country does understand dyspraxia. People need to become more aware otherwise people like me will be often unemployed or underemployed in jobs we may not be suited to do.

  • Patricia Lecausi

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    Aug 14 2011: 1 out of ten people have DYSPRAXIA........soooo many people are walking around either misdiagnosed or not knowing whats wrong with them.(It is called the hidden handicapp).....It took years for my son to get the proper evaluation.....It drives me nuts that sooooo many professionals ( doctors, teachers, etc.....never heard of Dyspraxia....Whats wrong with us in the States.....Dyspraxia is recognized in England ....Why not in the good old USA......Marsha , people are assholes... it's just ignorantance.......You have the support from Ana and myself and the rest of the Dyspraxia community... One of my goals in life is to help raise awareness for Dyspraxia .....I would like it to get as much attention as Autism........

  • Marsha Hollingsworth

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    Aug 14 2011: People need to know more about this condition. I know I puzzle people. I have a college degree, but I have problems with articulating words and driving is not a good idea. Last night I was telling about how I was thinking about possibly grad school. It hurt me that one girl who was at this gathering thought I should go to a community college. My interests might be more grad school. I attempted substitute teaching a while back and one of the teachers could I had the qualifications to be a substitute teacher which I do in Columbus.
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      Ana Maria Rodriguez

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      Aug 14 2011: Thank you, Marsha, for your contribution to the discussion. If you have a college degree, you have proved you can deal with university-level studies. I think you should not give up your dream of pursuing graduate studies. Do not lower your expectations of yourself because of what others say. Only you know how much you can do, and then more...As my martial arts teacher, who has dyspraxia, says, "keep a positive attitude and never give up!" I hope you let me know what you decided to do regarding pursuing graduate studies. Cheers!
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