Caged in Chaos: A Dyspraxic Guide to Breaking Free

by Victoria Biggs

Winner of the NASEN & TES Special Educational Needs Children's Book Award 2005

Written by a teenage dyspraxic, this inspiring book is a unique practical guide for dyspraxics and those around them struggling and determined to get to grips with the social, physical and psychological chaos caused by developmental co-ordination disorders (DCDs).

In her own conversational style, Victoria Biggs discusses both the primary effects of her 'learning difference' — disorganization, clumsiness and poor short-term memory and the secondary difficulties she and other dyspraxics encounter, including bullying, low self-esteem and loneliness. She offers down-to-earth advice on a wide range of issues, from body language, puberty, health and hygiene to family life and social skills. Personal stories and 'this-is-what-it's-like-for-me' accounts from other dyspraxic adolescents are also included.

Her positive and practical approach and profound empathy with others in her situation make this book a must-read for dyspraxics, their parents and other family members, and for professionals working with them.

Genres: Nonfiction, Self Help, Mental Health, Adhd, Disability

200 pages, Paperback

First published February 15, 2005

Reviews

[Manybooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Penned by a teenager with dyspraxia, Victoria Biggs' Caged in Chaos is enlightening, readable, at times heartbreakingly funny, and as such an invaluable resource for anyone (child, teenager, adult) dealing with (or knowing someone who is dealing with) dyspraxia or nonverbal learning disabilities. The author is refreshingly honest about her own dyspraxia, but thankfully also never wallows in self pity and victimhood (albeit that she, and this very much fortunately, also does not ever spare criticism of and for those ignoramuses who choose not to accept dyspraxia as a legitimate syndrome and those who choose to deal and come to terms with neurological differences through blame, nastiness and bullying). And on a personal and emotional level, Caged in Chaos has also helped me both better understand and accept my own recent diagnosis of NLD and given me valuable insights into both NLD (and dyspraxia) as a syndrome (as a condition) as well as essential, valuable tools on how to deal with the same without compromising either my personality or my soul, my inner being so to speak (because unfortunately, many similar such self-help style books on the market at least partially strive to "cure" one's neurological glitches and personality traits to the point and to the extent that one is really no longer oneself but a stranger to oneself).

Finally but importantly, if anyone is actually considering Caged in Chaos for self help reading, I would actually tend to suggest (and very strongly) downloading the more recent Kindle edition, as it has been updated and expanded (including information on author Victoria Biggs' exploits at university and that she is currently pursuing advanced graduate degrees, namely a PhD).

[Sarah Sparkle · Rating 3 out of 5]

A guide written by a gifted 16-year-old girl with dyspraxia (the term for someone who is gifted with a learning disability to match is 'twice exceptional') on how to navigate teen life with the condition, but it's also very relevant for teens with Asperger Syndrome (AS), Non Verbal Learning Disability (NVLD), etc. If you dislike formal, dry writing but want to understand dyspraxia better, then this is a good place to begin. I'd be interested to read an updated version of the book now that Victoria is 24 years old. Too often adults with learning disabilities are ignored - they don't stop being disabled when they turn 18!

[Stephen · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author was 16 when she wrote this very personal book about her dyspraxia (also known as Developmental Coordination Disorder). She does an amazing job of describing what life is like for her and giving fellow dyspraxics a day to day guide about coping with the condition.

Amazon and Goodreads tell me I made 107 highlights in this book! That will probably tell you something!

Here is the first of those highlights:

"For a teenager, this isn’t just a dry medical term. It is the fight to produce readable handwriting and a good essay at the same time. It is the frustration that you feel when you’re trying to cross the road, but don’t dare to move because you can’t judge the speed of oncoming traffic. It is the chaos that whirls through your head when someone asks you to plan ahead. It colours every area of living."

The author follows up the many observations in this book with good advice. Very much a recommended work for anyone with dyspraxia, or who knows anyone with it, or who works in education, where you *will* come across people with the condition.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was blown away by Caged in Chaos. I thought I had heard of every "learning disability" or "differently abled" until I read Ms. Biggs' inspiring book about her life with dyspraxia. Not only a memoir written by Ms. Biggs when she was a teenager, this book is a guide for any young person with any kind of physical or learning challenge. Although written from the perspective of the British school system, the advice Ms. Biggs gives for coping with every situation that most people just "do" without thinking about, her advice and checklists provide a valuable resource for teens, parents, teachers, and anyone who has any interest at all in the spectrum of disabilities (a word I use with distaste, because I don't think in those terms) or challenges. Ms. Biggs is a gifted writer, and her humorous, positive perspective on how she manages the activities of daily life make for a really good read, and an extremely educational read as well. The book contains not only Ms. Biggs' observations: loaded with observations and experiences she gathered from other young people, the book makes people with "labels" attached to them simply people who have different styles of learning, thinking, and being, which is how everyone should be considered, labeled or not. I commend Ms. Biggs for her courageous story, and for her brilliant writing and amusing illustrations. I have recommended this book to my sister who is a speech pathologist, my other sister who is a teacher, two friends who are teachers, and others involved with young people, particularly in education.

We are all caged in some sort of chaos in our own way. Ms. Biggs opened my eyes to a chaos I didn't know existed, and gave me a shot in the arm to find ways to cope with my own chaos. While she provides insight into the cage of dyspraxia, her underlying message is that living with the abilities that one is born with does not have to be a cage - it can and should be just who you are, even if you have to explain yourself sometimes.

I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Angela Street · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an amazing book written by a 16 year old teenager with dyspraxia that is told in a humorous and inspiring manner. I have been a mental health therapist for the past 23 years and had read a basic description of what dyspraxia was but this book made me realize that the issue was much more complicated than I ever realized. Her book was chock full of wonderful personal stories and quotes by other teens who had dealt with this challenging diagnosis. It made me as a reader feel that I was right there with the individuals as they faced their challenges. The other thing that struck me is that in all my years of reading self help books (where suggestions were offered on ways of
coping with an issue)I have never seen such an organized, user-friendly, in-depth and practical list of suggestions that dealt with such a wide range of issues. The other thing I liked was finding out what happened with the writer who is now a young adult. Ms. Biggs has an extraordinary way with words that draws you in immediately to the book and keeps you invented in the individuals discussed. I highly recommend this book.

[Hattie · Rating 5 out of 5]

To say this book is amazing is an understatement. It revolutionised my life. When many dyspraxics become teens are problems start to exacerbate and often we don't even realise that we have problems, this period is usualy hell for us and after years of troubles it was an extrodinary experience to open a book and realise that there was a reason for all this weirdness. That somethings weren't my fault. And more importantly it brought me to Dyspraxic teens. For all those times when life seems alien. It also lead me to my diagnosis of dyslexia which was such a life send. It made me proud to be me. I cant thank this book enough.

[Kathryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I bought the book to help me understand a dyspraxic student that bit better. He is new to our secondary school and struggling to settle in. It was a quirky, informative, and often funny insight into the life of a teenager with dyspraxia. There's lots of good practical advice included on several topics, plus some interesting stories and anecdotes (the author was sixteen when she wrote this and she's quoted other teenagers on their experiences). The chapter on bullying very useful, and a lot of what the author says has certainly explained a lot of behaviour from the young man I'm supporting.

[Dina_s · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although my dyspraxic son is only 8 and Ms Biggs was a teenager when she wrote this book, I was able to relate to quite a few of the issues she discusses. My son has good social skills and has many friends so some parts felt a little OTT from my experience. It did however give me good insight as to the challenges my son may face when he reaches adolescence. Thank you Victoria for sharing your story with so much humour and bite! You are a wonderful storyteller.

[Ben · Rating 5 out of 5]

Please please please read this book. I guarantee at the very least, you will have gone to school with someone with Dyspraxia. I have Dyspraxia and part of the disability is that it is so difficult to explain to people especially when asked. Parents and Dyspraxians this is a must read. It doesn't take long. Sadly i was only diagnosed having left school i hope this helps diagnose more children younger. Thank you Vicky

[Gill's likes reading · Rating 3 out of 5]

A book written by a 16 year old on what its like to be dyspraxic with tips on how to live with it. Primarily written for teenagers it gives a good insight into the problems of dyspraxia,schooling and being a teenager. Victoria Biggs is positive all the way through the book thereby giving some good feedback to dyspraxic people.

[Ponder Woodcock · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is brimming with positivity and encouragement, but also honesty and suggestions about how to eat without looking foolish. I was 28 when I read this, and I did not expect to take so much advice from a 16 year old. But here I am, having my quality of life improved by her helpful, practical suggestions about everything from education to cleaning to how to use the washroom.

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

Seeing as I myself suffer from Dyspraxia, and this being the first book I have read on it, I found this book very helpful and I could relate to so many things in it matching patterns and traits that I have.

[Ida · Rating 4 out of 5]

Diagnosed with dyspraxia just as I left school, this book helped me understand what that meant in the present and past far better than my googling. Easy to read and covering a wide range of topics, it's very informative and so incredibly helpful.
For something with so much information, it's very light with lots of humour - it's not about every element of the science, so it's a great help with the day to day life. It makes sense and makes sense of things, it makes it feel real rather than lists with unreasonable and/or dry 'tips' that other books are filled with.
I doubt any book can cover everything in every level of detail, it wouldn't be right, but that means there are a few points to just skim over and acknowledge 'that's not how it is for me' or 'the symptom vs severity of dyspraxia link isn't what I experience'. That's to be expected, and this was still definitely the most readable and best book on the topic I found.

[Molly Dreaver · Rating 5 out of 5]

love this book. really helped me understand myself more and ways i can get support, it also helped me understand my dyspraxia more - would recommend to anyone whos friends/ knows anyone with dyspraxia

[Rosemary Richings · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great tips in this book overall, and I learned a lot as someone who has lived with dyspraxia my entire life.

[Caroline · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some great tips and tricks and great to see things from a teenage perspective

[N · Rating 1 out of 5]

At the time of writing Caged In Chaos, Victoria Biggs was a lively, articulate 16-year-old. (Now, I assume, she is a lively, articulate 23-year-old.) Caged, a memoir of Biggs' struggles with "dyspraxia", is not short on personality and I have no doubt it may appeal to other teenagers with learning differences.

However, what Caged is missing is the eloquence and maturity of a good writer, or the thoughtfulness of a person who has lived a life and has wisdom to share.

In truth, I'm not even sure Caged works terribly well as an aid for those with learning difficulties. Biggs gives a lot of advice for dealing with "dyspraxia" and most of it is... just regular advice. Use aromatherapy to de-stress? Just regular advice! Be yourself around boys? Just regular advice!

You may have noticed that I keep putting quote marks around the word dyspraxia. It's not that Biggs doesn't have dyspraxia -- she obviously does. Lack of coordination, issues with organisation and time management = classic dyspraxia. But the thing is, she's also autistic. To anyone who knows anything about autism, this is obvious. Biggs, however, repeatedly ascribes her autistic traits (not being able to read facial expressions; taking the meaning of every word literally) to dyspraxia!

The trouble with Specific Learning Difficulties (SpLD) is that there's so much overlap that 'pure' forms of learning difficulties simply don't exist. For everyone, it's likely to be a mishmash of dyslexia, dyspraxia, ADHD, autism. The problem is, Biggs displays little awareness of her own mishmash of SpLD and the result can only come across as confusing and frustrating for the reader.

[Hilary · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was OK. I couldn't decide whether I liked the book or not. As a parent of a child with dyspraxia, and a porfessional working with children with Autism, it was good to read from a person's perspective and I am sure that in the next few years the book will be really good. At present she isn't quite a teenager. A lot of the tips for organisation were really good. I'm not sure what I expected from the book, which is possibly why I am undecided about it. It was recommended for me to read by some colleagues. I will be giving it to my daughter to read though.

[Niamh]

This book is amazing. I started reading it last night and I'm already almost halfway through. As someone who has DCD I find it super hard to find a book about Dyspraxia that is actually for the person with the condition. Biggs uses humor and anecdotes throughout the story, which is why after I finish reading it, I will be giving it to my family to read. It is as though she put my mind down on a piece of paper. 10/10 would recommend.

[Andrea · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a good insight to what it feels like to live with dyspraxia as written by a teen. I will probably have my own son read it in another year or two. It was helpful as a parent to remember that some things don't come as easily for them and it has nothing to do with their intelligence. Patience!!

[Abbi Hutchings · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this was really good, it gave a thoroughly touching and amusing insight into what its like having dyspraxia

[Paul Barnes · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very readable, but more of the here's how weird I am and how the world needs to adjust to me genre rather than constructive guidance on strategies to better fit into the world.

[Maia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was amazing. Super helpful read and looking forward to re-reading soon

[Anna Colquhoun Alberts · Rating 4 out of 5]

excellent book on dyspraxia
homophobic writing at times is upsetting