Difference between Apraxia & Dyspraxia?

Apraxia and dyspraxia are the same thing.

You can have dyspraxia of speech - meaning difficulty coordinating the movements of speech, or dyspraxia of the body - difficulty coordinating the movements of the body or hands. The same word holds for both.

It's a complicated topic.

HTH

Apraxia and dyspraxia are the same thing....literally if you break the words down

dys-difficulty
a- absent

praxis- movemenet

In Europe they tend to use the word dyspraxia to describe both poor motor control of the mouth and the body. You can have just an oral motor planning problem and not be effected globally. In Europe they then the think apraxia and the absence of movement. In the US they tend to call is verbal apraxia and/or global apraxia but mean it the same as they do in Europe. ( I hope that makes sense)

So yes...they are considered the same thing.

Gabe has verbal/oral and mild global apraxia. Also, just as a side note you can have global apraxia (effecting fine/gross motor planning) and NOT have an oral apraxia. And then there is the whole oral apraxia and verbal apraxia....oral apraxia is when the ability to chew and swallow, blow, make kissing faces is not working properly. The verbal just effects the parts that control speech. It really is confusing.

If you are interested in learning more here is a great website to check out. www.apraxia-kids.org

So the neuropsych might have asked you that if Liam has fine motor issues, or problems motor planning his body. It doesn't just effect the mouth. If I confused you more...please feel free to let me know...and I will try harder to explain.

Jessie mommy to Gabe(5 years ASD/CAS/SID)and baby Zane (1 year old)

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molly,

Look up "clumsy Child Syndrome". Dyspraxia is basically poor motor skills/coordination type thing. Cait was diagnosed with it at 3. Just part of her ASD makeup similar to Liam.

I believe it is neurologic in nature (ie a neurological reason for poor motor coordination/tone, etc) thus why the neuro pointed it out but it is likely just a fancy name for his motor delays. It is all related and that is the name for that part.

Apraxia of speech is more commonly known and typically from my understanding apraxia of speech is due to poor motor coordination of the mouth and speech muscles.