Is Dyspraxia on the Autism Spectrum?

Post Reply New Topic

I used to think of this as just a motor coordination disorder but apparently there are additional features which overlap with the autism spectrum. These include sensory processing issues, slow processing, poor eye contact and not understanding sarcasm/jokes. Even some of the cognitive traits such as a good long term memory and poor short term are shared by both labels. While it’s not required for diagnosis, a significant number of those with ASDs have motor impairments as well. Are these just different names for the same cluster of symptoms/neuropsychological profile?

It is entirely possible to have dyspraxia without autism.

It can be said the same with ADHD, NVLD, and other conditions concerning all sorts of same emotional, social, communication, sensory, executive functions issues.



One notable differences are repetitive behaviors and insistence of sameness or predictability.
This very trait, even, can be distinguished from anxiety based conditions without autism; which is another common overlap with autism.

Gained Number Post Count (1).
Lose Time (n).

Lose more time here - Updates at least once a week.

I do not need sameness and predictability at all (at least I can think so) but I was diagnosed with AS (a pervasive developmental disorder) in specialistic centre above 12 years ago. Doing things always in the same way is just boring for me! I can like surprises. Insistence of sameness and predictability typical for classic ASD looks really boring for me... It would be rather unpleasant for me to have the need of sameness and predictability to a degree typical for bookish ASD for me. I have large curiosity!

I think that autism is not about sameness and predictability... And also not about atypical sensory processing or nonverbal thinking or verbal communication deficits...
"Most literal" autism is for me "pathological nonconformism" and someone with it can really love surprises and changes IMO. It may look similar to schizoid disorder starting in childhood.

The opinion that EVERYONE with AUTISM has a strong need of SAMENESS and PREDICTABILITY is a MYTH IMO. I think that that MYTH can hurt some people, for example ones like me.
I would not name insistence of predictability and sameness "autism"!

Autism is usually a disability, tends to be serious difference from "typical" individuals, but it has not to be associated with low curiosity, disliking of surprises and changes. For me just certain type of autism is associated with "love" of sameness and predictability.

Dyspraxia is more than common in autism, dyspraxia in autism is linked to an imperfect development of the cerebellum. Dyspraxia in autism is often moderate and in most cases dyspraxia can be greatly improved. Many video games, sports, indoor and outdoor activities are useful for that purpose.

When asking this question, I am assuming you're referring to the UK definition of dyspraxia. The literature on this topic is somewhat confusing and convoluted, but from what I gather, the defining feature of dyspraxia, regardless on which side of the Atlantic Ocean you are, is a delay in motor skills (fine and gross), motor planning, and coordination. This narrow definition is officially known as DCD, in both North America and the UK.

Where things get confusing is the fact that the Dyspraxia Foundation of the UK lists several non motor skills that may be affected by dyspraxia. Strictly speaking, these are not required for the diagnosis of DCD, but for reasons that aren't fully understood, they often co-occur in people who have motor skills challenges. The profile that combines the weak motor skills seen in DCD and the non-motor challenges mentioned by the UK Dyspraxia Foundation is (as far as I know) what's called NVLD in North America.

So... to answer the OP's question. If you use the narrow definition of dyspraxia as only including the motor features of DCD, then it is definitely not on the autism spectrum. If you're using the definition of dyspraxia that makes it similar to NLVD, then the question becomes more "is NVLD on the autism spectrum?" and that's a can of worms alright.

Yet, I will still try to answer the latter question. I am not entirely in favour of the way of viewing autism as a spectrum from mild to moderate to severe. Instead, I see it more as a catch-all term for a variety of different and unrelated conditions that all result in similar behaviours. Nonetheless, I do believe that the NVLD label has some use, for the NVLD profile appears quite frequently, both in those that are officially diagnosed with ASD, and those that aren't but still show NVLD signs.

Long winded, I know, but this opinion is my own.

Not totally. Just because one is dyspraxic doesn't mean that one is autistic.

But many autistic people happen to be dyspraxic.

I'm slightly dyspraxic myself.

I guess part of the reason for my confusion, as someone mentioned, was that the UK definition of dyspraxia has broadened the condition. In the US it is typically referred to as DCD and refers primarily to motor impairments. The UK definition includes a lot of crossover symptoms with AS and NVLD. I also remember another autism forum (don’t remember where) where someone actually asked if what’s considered dyspraxia in the UK would be NVLD in the US. It also seems to still be up for debate whether ASD and NVLD are different names for the same disorder or distinct conditions.

NVLD is "nonverbal learning disorder." It is strongly associated with Asperger's and with Autism----but one with NVLD is not necessarily autistic.

see also "proprioception" . My neurological struggles include poor proprioception.

I was so relieved to learn it wasn't my fault, that it was not due to lack of paying attention or being careful, that it was not due to thoughtlessness or stupidity .
All my falls, tripping, running into things, spilling things, etc are due to uneven developement of my neurology.
Since autism is "uneven neurological development" it does not surprise me to know I have this struggle and other autistic people do too.
It should be noted that it is not necessary for autistic persons to have proprioceptive troubles, some "normal" people may have this too. Some autistic persons may not struggle with dyspraxia or other proprioception at all.
It is not diagnostic criteria for autism but lots of us do have struggles with proprioception.

Autism is just a list of symptoms caused by the brain not developing normally, so practically any neurological condition can run alongside autistic symptoms, all caused by the original brain malformation.