Dyspraxia in Children with Asperger's and High-Functioning Autism

By Mark Hutten, M.A.
Dyspraxia is a disorder that affects motor skill development. Most children with Asperger’s (AS) and High-Functioning Autism (HFA) have a history of delayed acquisition of motor skills (e.g., hand writing, pedaling a bike, tying shoe laces, catching a ball, opening jars, climbing monkey-bars, etc.), which is called “motor clumsiness.”

These kids are often visibly awkward, exhibiting rigid gait patterns, odd posture, poor manipulative skills, and significant deficits in visual-motor coordination. Although this presentation contrasts with the pattern of motor development in autistic kids (for whom the area of motor skills is often a relative strength), it is similar in some respects to what is observed in older people with autism.

In this post, we will discuss the following:
  • Constructional Dyspraxia  
  • Ideational Dyspraxia  
  • Ideomotor Dyspraxia  
  • Oromotor Dyspraxia
  • Speech and language therapy
  • Perceptual motor training
  • Occupational therapy 
  • Active play Equine therapy

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