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for many people dysfunction,Falling is not an accident but an everyday reality. It begins in childhood, shaping self-confidence and independence, and often continues throughout adult life.
Falls are one of the most common causes of injury worldwide, yet one group of people who experience them most often remains virtually invisible in public. Health data. Dyspraxia, also known as developmental coordination disorder (DCD), Affects about 5% of the population And disrupts the brain’s ability to coordinate movement.
I worked with colleagues to investigate how often people fall, why they fall, what injuries they suffer, and how these experiences affect anxiety and everyday life. Our research highlights how frequent and severe these declines can be, and why it is time for health care systems to pay attention.
Dyspraxia affects the brain’s ability to plan and coordinate movements. This can make everyday activities like walking, climbing stairs, or walking across a crowded room unexpectedly dangerous.
People with dyspraxia often struggle with balance, delayed motor reactions, and difficulty multitasking while walking. Yet, until now, very little research has explored how often people with DCD fall or what the full physical and emotional impact of falls is.
To explore this gap, we designed a survey with people with dyspraxia. More than 400 people participated, including adults with DCD, parents of children with DCD, and a comparison group of typically developing adults and children.
We found that adults with dyspraxia were nine times more likely to fall at least once or twice a month than adults without DCD. Among children with this condition, more than half experience falls once or twice a week.
These were not harmless stumbles. Participants reported injuries ranging from sprains and fractures to bruises and broken teeth. More than one-third of adults with DCD have suffered a broken bone due to a fall.
The psychological impact was equally important. Many adults said they were afraid to walk alone or use the stairs. Overall, 72% of children and adults with dyspraxia were classified as having high levels of worry about falling.
Respondents described avoiding social events, team sports or even leaving the house. Some reported embarrassment, low self-esteem and social isolation. Parents described how their children’s fear of falling kept them away from play dates, school trips, and physical activities.
About the author
Jonny Parr is Senior Lecturer in Sport and Exercise Science at Manchester Metropolitan University with expertise in psychophysiology and motor control.
This article is republished from Conversation Under Creative Commons license. read the original article,
Despite these experiences, dyspraxia is missing from major fall prevention guidelines. Public health messaging about falls focuses on older adults or people with conditions like Parkinson’s multiple sclerosisOur findings show that fall risk is a serious and long-overlooked issue for people with DCD at all stages of life,
This oversight will have real consequences. Falls aren’t just about scrapes and bruises. They are one of the leading causes of injury-related hospitalization.
For example, UK It already spends billions each year on fall-related care. If we ignore the persistent decline in childhood mortality, we risk worsening health outcomes, rising costs and missed opportunities for early, effective support.
So, what needs to change?
Symptoms of Dyspraxia
NHS
If you have dyspraxia it may affect:
- Your coordination, balance and speed
- How you learn new skills, think, and remember information at work and at home
- Your daily living skills, such as dressing or preparing meals
- your ability to write, type, draw, and hold small objects
- How do you act in social situations
- how do you deal with your emotions
- Time management, planning and personal organization skills
First, DCD should be recognized in fall risk assessment and prevention strategies. This means training health care professionals to identify dyspraxia and understand how it affects balance and coordination.
Second, schools and community organizations should take the risk of falls seriously when supporting children with DCD, especially in PE classes, playgrounds and other active settings.
Third, the emotional impact of the fall must be addressed. Cognitive behavioral strategies have shown promise in managing fall-related anxiety in other groups and may also benefit people with dyspraxia.
Ultimately, public awareness needs to increase. Problems associated with dyspraxia are often dismissed as clumsiness or carelessness. In fact, they are a chronic and painful part of many people’s lives.
Now is the time to stop people with dyspraxia from getting into trouble. With earlier intervention, better understanding, and more inclusive public health efforts, we can help people with DCD stay stable, safe, and supported.