The Dyspraxic Learner: Strategies for Success

by Alison Patrick

With a wealth of practical strategies for teaching and supporting students with dyspraxia aged from 11 years up to college or university level, this book addresses all aspects of learning and ways in which teaching can be tailored to the dyspraxic learner. By exploring dyspraxia and its physical, emotional, psychological and social impacts on learning, the author shares tried-and-tested strategies for ensuring that students with dyspraxia achieve their full potential. This book covers a wide range of topics, such as research and study skills, improving memory, teaching literacy, visual and auditory learning styles, dealing with sleeplessness, stress, low self-esteem and anxiety, and preparing for future employment. Teachers will have a greater understanding of dyspraxia, and feel confident in helping students with dyspraxia to overcome educational challenges. Teachers, lecturers, tutors and SENCOs will find this book useful, and it will also be of interest to students with dyspraxia who are looking for ways to help themselves with their school or university work.

194 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 21, 2015

Reviews

[Marc ZEIMET · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book "The Dyspraxic Learner", presented by author Alison Patrick is looking at the syndrome from a teacher’s perspective and targets the often difficult life situations of pupils students, learners in general.
In the introductory pages a remark is made which states that the book is not (so much) about the medical perspective. That sounded at first a bit strange, but made sense as the reading of the document progressed.
In the overview of the table of contents it becomes clear that the various chapters look at the special aspects of the dyspraxic individual’s ‘becoming’ in learning environments and the difficulties that they generally face, but also the strengths this ‘being different’ encompass.
When reading the book, and trying to undertake the first steps into the subject, one is overwhelmed by the many elements that are presented; sometimes it feels a bit like scanning the materials of someone who has compiled the scientifically relevant evidence required to start a research project and has written down the notes, the information, the references and the key ideas for such a demanding academic endeavour.
But over time this sentiment changed to one of appreciation. This book is a treasure of most valuable information on the dyspraxia syndrome. It is packed with further exploitable resources and references.
If it could be improved in one feature, this would be at the level of the layout of the heading (sub-) titles. But beyond this slight critique point, this book is nicely and densely stuffed with information and reading is opening eyes, helping to see a clear and versatile picture on the facts of ‘neurodiversity’ as encountered in some individuals.
At the end of the book, at the level of the conclusion chapter a focus is laid on this particular ‘being different’, but then also presenting some distinguished strengths that make dyspraxic people ‘special’ with their set of strengths that are ever more valued especially in the workplace, the economy, and possibly in the emerging digital world of data, information and knowledge transformational processing business.
In this book, author Alison Patrick shows her experience and deep knowledge of the Dyspraxia behavioural patterns and associated difficulties in life for those affected by the disorder, but she also stresses time and again that the same people who struggle because of Dyspraxia, present cognitive strengths, like lateral thinking, which enable them to generate added value of which the so-called ‘neuro-normals’ are much less capable of.
The new publication (2020) by Alison Patrick is already on the reading wish list.

[Jimi'O · Rating 4 out of 5]

When referring to the book, it does sound quite conventional in the knowledge it is vending, but it certainly is a good start if you know nothing about the condition (as I certain have been in the dark about it) and would like to seek out more answers - this will certainly be a very good start to find those first few steps. It is also not hard to read either, as long as willingness does not evade you.

In more detail: It seemed to contain as much information as my assessor told me, and quite a lot more - however, some of it can come across as being Speculative. Against that, its good the author mentioned something she was aware 'may' affect the a dyspraxic, and as this is aimed at teachers, I can see how it helps. Also the author's reasoning at time can appear a bit weak i.e. the discussion about eye contact discussion sounded much too conventional, although does give interesting strategies afterwards. Other aspects seem to be crude inductions i.e. because a dyspraxic normally has social problems, and their brain can get stuck in a 'repeating ' cycle of negative thoughts - this implies a dyspraxic must have "a seemingly endless desire for anxiety and disquiet" - reading that as a dyspraxic made me feel slightly sick. In saying that there is an equal mixture of positive statements in return and at least the first half of the book had a good amount of useful and worth while information -if not to learn, then to confirm. It is important to take into account that a lot of this is going to be negative, no matter how you look at it – which is why living with a (real) disability could be seen as brave - (so no matter how much we discuss the matter) we are talking about things that can be stressful for some people, no matter how you approach it. In which case I would say that this book handles it reasonably well.

[Rob Butler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every person with Dyspraxia should read this book

I was diagnosed with Dyspraxia at school. I had it narrowed down to handwriting and memory. Having gone to college as an adult (37) and have really struggled I searched more about Dyspraxia with my wife and realised the difficulties I was having were down to Dyspraxia. I decided to buy this book. I now understand myself so much better. There are so many things that I thought were down to personality that are actually due to my Dyspraxia. I never thought that me quite enjoying eating burnt things could in any way be linked to my Dyspraxia.

I would love everyone who has Dyspraxia to read it. I feel like I have strategies now to deal with so many of the issues that I didn't realise related to Dyspraxia.

Thank you so much for writing this book Alison Patrick. I finally understand Dyspraxia! If it was possible to give more than 5*s I would.

[Melanie Rippon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great introductory resource for anyone wanting to learn about dyspraxia, even if the book itself is aimed at teachers/educators. (And more information than I had found so far from sources like the NHS website. Sorry, NHS. Though that might just be my website-navigating skills, but the list of symptoms/issues always felt frustratingly short/basic, no matter what site I looked at.) The aimed-at-educators bit is why I’m calling it introductory, because I imagine others, like me, would want to know more if serious about researching dyspraxia e.g. the medical perspective. But after a random comment at a family get-together from my cousin that I might be mildly dyspraxic, and wanting to investigate more before trying to get a formal assessment, I thoroughly appreciate the book’s easy-to-read format, and details of available resources.

[Andrea · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was written for teachers, although I would be surprised if classroom teachers took the time to read it. (Unfortunately). This would be helpful for special ed teachers and OTs. As a parent, I did find some useful tips that I will try incorporating. I appreciated that the book discussed more than just the physical aspect of dyspraxia and got into the emotional and social issues as well.

[WCU Special Education]

WCU Main Collection, 4th Floor
Call Number: 371.9 P314
Link to catalog record: http://pilot.passhe.edu:8022/cgi-bin/...

[Maia · Rating 5 out of 5]

AMAZING. Helpful read for teens with Dyspraxia