For people with dyspraxia, a developmental motor skill disorder, maintaining physical balance and good posture can be quite challenging. This is particularly true for dyspraxic children, who may tip over or fall out of a chair if they are not concentrating. According to Gill Dixon and Lois M. Addy in their book "Making Inclusion Work for Children with Dyspraxia," the setup of many classroom chairs and desks is not conducive to good posture or academic success for children with this condition.
Step 1
Position a dyspraxic child in a chair that places her knees, hips and feet at a 90-degree angle. If the child is too short for a particular chair, place foot blocks or old telephone directories on the floor to use as "foot raisers." This enables a child to more effectively control her limbs and upper body while seated.
Step 2
Place work tables to be at the height of the child's elbows when bent. This gives the child a sense of stability and balance in his work station. It also promotes good posture. When working with paper at a desk or table, have the child place the paper at an angle similar to that of his dominant arm. If the paper is placed down straight in front of the child, it may cause his arm to be pressed against the side of his body and have negative effects on handwriting.
Step 3
Investigate new technologies. According to the Engineer.UK, researchers at the University of Leeds are developing robotic classroom chairs for children with dyspraxia. These chairs will provide "adaptive postural support" using sensors and pneumatically-driven motors. This technology will enable the chair to "detect" the child's position and adjust it using the motors.
Tips and Warnings
- Determine laterality. Many dyspraxic kids take longer than usual to establish laterality, or hand-dominance. This can effect their overall positioning and handwriting. Work with the child daily for a week, allowing her to write with both hands on a double-sided easel. This will help to clarify which hand is best for writing. Encourage exercises. Doing exercises such as arm spirals, wall pushups and "ladies' pushups" can increase a dyspraxic child's upper-limb awareness and balance.
Things You'll Need
- Foot blocks or telephone books
