Dyspraxia and Late Diagnosis with Rachael Elizabeth

[@catiabotelho5845]

I am 36 years old and it took so long for me to find out that I have Dyspraxia. I usually said that I had a condition similar do Dyslexia but regarding motion. I was also the last one to be picked at PE and altough I loved to draw, I had low grades at manual arts because I had a hard time painting. I always hated loud noises or very bright lights and I have to sleep with earplugs. No one at school advised me to look for a health professional and I think that people thought that I was like that because of my personality. It may not be a very serious condition health wise, but I affected my entire life. I always felt that I could not fit in this world. It ia a huge relief that there are so many people like me and that maybe it is not such a tragic thing because I always could carry own with my life.

[@MoisheRokach]

I have a similar story. No ADHD to the best of my knowledge. However I resonate with all that you say. Thousands thanks for your story.

[@queenmotherbug]

Thank you. Your story resonates with me so much. I identify with basically everything you've said. I'm 43, almost 44, and my occupational therapist just gave me my unofficial dyspraxia diagnosis a few days ago. I first suspected a few months ago when I saw a video about it online. So many emotions about the late diagnosis. Memories are flooding back now about all my struggles in school. I understand myself so much better. I wish I had known then. I don't know that dyspraxia was as known in the 1980s.

[@blueyedglances4960]

I so appreciate your vulnerability and transparency ❤ thank you I can so relate to what you expressed

[@lasgirasoles]

Thank you for this video! A *lot* of this hits really close to home for me! I was diagnosed with cerebral palsy at birth (1988) and was told I have a 'balance difficulty' but I've always thought there's some unknown element because I walked at about 3yrs old, when most people with cerebral palsy struggle a lot more with movements. I've just been told I walk like a farmer and bump into a disproportionate amount of doorways! I really related, Rachael, when you spoke about having to really focus & being able to concentrate on being careful but then after a while, forgetting and messing up. People always say I should have concentrated harder, or now it's so internalised I tell myself that! I also find that I can do a lot of things, but I'm really slow at them, like writing, cooking (so many knife cuts!), even dressing - I like simple clothes! And often people just don't understand why I'm taking so long, that I must be doing it wrong or need help or just deliberately being slow! And sometimes by the time I've done something, everyone else has moved on, so you miss the social support of doing things in a group and are just stressed about being behind or end up not finishing in the time... I am almost certain that I can describe myself as dyspraxic (and also elements of ADD), will check out Dyspraxia UK. ❤ One thing I have always wondered is why, if it was so obvious that I had a 'balance difficulty' from birth, was dyspraxia not mentioned in all those physio appointments!? It would certainly help explain some of the other cognitive aspects of my experience and I relate to many of the anecdotal examples I've heard from this video & others. However I understand that it can be more difficult to distinguish when there are lots of concurrent diagnoses & issues. I also have a 'dead ear' (profound hearing loss) on my left and in photos as a child I'm often leaning my head to one side (not intentionally!) I still have to focus on this! I think I always thought that the hearing loss explained the balance difficulty because the balance organ is so close to the inner ear! I really don't know whether I'm projecting my own difficulties onto dyspraxia criteria but it certainly seems to mirror my experience very closely. I also hate shoelaces. And keys! 😅

[@MindsetByDave]

Thank you so much for sharing your story. 💝 I’m always looking for people to share experiences on the podcast. So if you’re ever up for it drop me a line Dave at MindsetByDave dot com

[@margharitamccallum8092]

Did an online test when I was 50 and diagnosed myself. Answered yes to most of the questions on the test. Cannot ride a bike, messy eater, not a great cook, cannot sew. Read up on dyspraxia and found that I use all the coping methods suggested. Rubbish at sports. What upset me was that my family members are all really great at the things I am rubbish at doing. Now I know why I accept my inability to do things which I can see others find simple.

[@TinaGreene-t4u]

I'm shocked that you can't get a diagnosis at 34 in your country. I've recently been diagnosed at 37

[@athenarose9084]

We need a better diagnostic pathway for Dyspraxia my sons school blamed him for his difficulties for years, NHS OT said he had no coordination difficulties because he caught a ball? He's had private assessments and he was diagnosed with ASD, Dyspraxia and Dysgraphia but as NHS Peadiatrics have repeadly refused to see him we can't have the Dyspraxia confirmed. Too many are being missed and left to struggle with no support.

[@emtaylor597]

I am 51 and don't have an official diagnosis but I have many symptoms. I don't recall having issues with shoelaces but not sure. I recall my mum being annoyed at my dad's cousin for trying to teach me the bunny ears method as for my mum that was wrong. This was the 70s. I always miss my mouth. I press really hard when I write, I bump into everything, drop things, trip up, etc I feel down the stairs 3 weeks ago and broke my big toe in 3 places. I can ride a bike but can only drive an automatic car. And I'm sooooooo disorganised.

[@fenlandwildlifeclips]

As a 43 year old who has just had a physio confirm dyspraxia what I need to know is: HOW DO I GET A FORMAL DIAGNOSIS?

[@MindsetByDave]

Depends where in the world you are. But I would say start with your doctor. If they can’t do it, they should be able to tell you the process.

[@stevenstocking5855]

My doctor said they can't help. It looks like a private diagnosis for an adult, which costs £600-£800 in the UK @@MindsetByDave

[@velvetme22]

I’m suspecting my 5 year old daughter. Thank you for sharing

[@jewels18261]

Thanks for video! 😉 "Co-occurrence" or "concurrent" are less stigma laden words than the term comorbid imho... Many of the terms used by psychiatry are loaded with negative connotations... "disorder" is my pet hate. How about we use "condition" instead? There's more terms I feel might be better than the current ones.. .. "self medicating" instead of "substance abuse" I'm 62....been researching a lot since being informed last year that I didn't walk until the age of 3.....😥 Im a poster child for this self esteem crushing lifetime hidden neurological condition Btw... 50% of dyspraxics have adhd! Cheers 😁

[@MindsetByDave]

Thank you so much for this. Very helpful. Co-occurrence is much better. And the other suggestions are fantastic too. I really appreciate you taking the time to answer these questions for me 🥰

[@jewels18261]

@@MindsetByDave Hi Dave Thanks! you are welcome 😊 Made my chaotic ND day

[@stevenstocking5855]

If I'm not dyspraxic, I'll eat my hat. (messily) 🤣

[@lars1480]

My Daughter was diagnosed age 8 she is 27 now her biggest problem now is verbal communication and that is a huge handicap - often she says “i don’t know” but if asked “don’t You know or is it because you Can not say it” she respons “ not say it”. That is sad because she knows what to say but Can not so she miss a lot social and knowledge. What is There to do this late in life with The verbal Dyspraxia ? Is there any cure is there as Rachel says hope to more or less growth out of it or to a better level ? My Daughter is very organized and remember Well has a kind of build in GPS is a master of Puzzles 1000 briks is done around 2-3 hour - thanks fore this information or Update on Dyspraxia.

[@strictnonconformist7369]

I’m 53, but I had speech therapy for several years due to dyspraxia, as well as occupational therapy for the rest, at least, for hand/eye. I was in special education for that, and dyslexia, but I have other things in the gang, too, that were missed entirely. “Getting better” with a lot of hard work may be feasible, but “cured” is nonsensical to expect. That won’t happen. I still have less than ideal clarity of speech for purely mechanical reasons, even when I’m not dealing with sensory overload. Learning that dyspraxia is also in there with sensory issues that I need to confirm also may result in sensory overload (that point I need to look up) suggests I’m so lucky (sarcasm!) being dyspraxic with ADHD and being autistic, too! That means 3 things tied to sensory issues, weeeeee! Oh, and when in sensory overload, it gets worse. Last year when I was diagnosed with ADHD for a few months I was trialing Adderall and guanfacine. My climbing partner told me my speech was more clear.

[@lars1480]

Rachel do you have Motor Dyspraxia and not Verbal Dyspraxia ? Because you Sound fine speak Well ?