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DANDA Dyspraxia Professional Conference ‘It’s not Just Kids Stuff’
Reviewed by Nicola Werenowska
I arrive at the first ever DANDA/ Dyspraxia conference in my customary state of anxiety. I can’t find the building so I’m late, I can’t put my name badge on and I can’t work out how to use the urn to pour coffee. I take stock, reminding myself that it’s a dyspraxia conference. I don’t need to worry, people will understand.
And indeed, throughout the day understanding was for me a key word – understanding of adult dyspraxia in theory and in practice. In common with other adult dyspraxics, I admit to being sometimes cynical of professionals who work in this area: How can they really understand? How do they know what it feels like? What impressed me then was the professional understanding towards dyspraxia from not only the non-dyspraxic speakers but from conference delegates. From OTs to university lecturers to teachers, everyone I spoke to demonstrated both an understanding and an acceptance of adult dyspraxia as well as a desire to learn more about this condition.
All of the talks, without exception, were extremely engaging and well-presented in terms of delivery and content. The way in which they touched on different areas related to adult dyspraxia and the use of visual stimuli made for an exciting, varied programme.
The first speaker, Janet Taylor, set the ball rolling with a personal account of her own struggle with dyspraxia. Tinged with both humour and sadness, her moving speech was a perfect opening, reinforcing for all delegates the importance of greater social awareness of dyspraxia in Adults.
This was followed by Dr Amanda Kirby’s talk, focusing on assessing adults with DCD and other neuro-diverse conditions. Dr Kirby is an inspiring, lucid speaker and the way she combined personal experience with a theoretical underpinning made her presentation informative, accessible and hugely entertaining. The next two papers were interesting for me both on a personal level and because they gave a realistic well-documented insight into aspects of adult dyspraxia – everyday issues from Sharon Drew an OT, and the avoidance of physical activities from Elizabeth (Liz) Atter. Sharon’s talk has helped me to make practical improvements in my daily life while Liz’s useful suggestions as to how adult dyspraxics can participate in physical activities was encouraging.
After a lunch of friendly networking and a sharing of experiences, the first talk addressed the issue of dyspraxia in college and the workplace. I really liked the style of this presentation which involved two speakers: an OT, Frances Beaumont, who raised awareness at difficulties adults face in the workplace as an adult.
Reviewed by Nicola Werenowska
I arrive at the first ever DANDA/ Dyspraxia conference in my customary state of anxiety. I can’t find the building so I’m late, I can’t put my name badge on and I can’t work out how to use the urn to pour coffee. I take stock, reminding myself that it’s a dyspraxia conference. I don’t need to worry, people will understand.
And indeed, throughout the day understanding was for me a key word – understanding of adult dyspraxia in theory and in practice. In common with other adult dyspraxics, I admit to being sometimes cynical of professionals who work in this area: How can they really understand? How do they know what it feels like? What impressed me then was the professional understanding towards dyspraxia from not only the non-dyspraxic speakers but from conference delegates. From OTs to university lecturers to teachers, everyone I spoke to demonstrated both an understanding and an acceptance of adult dyspraxia as well as a desire to learn more about this condition.
All of the talks, without exception, were extremely engaging and well-presented in terms of delivery and content. The way in which they touched on different areas related to adult dyspraxia and the use of visual stimuli made for an exciting, varied programme.
The first speaker, Janet Taylor, set the ball rolling with a personal account of her own struggle with dyspraxia. Tinged with both humour and sadness, her moving speech was a perfect opening, reinforcing for all delegates the importance of greater social awareness of dyspraxia in Adults.
This was followed by Dr Amanda Kirby’s talk, focusing on assessing adults with DCD and other neuro-diverse conditions. Dr Kirby is an inspiring, lucid speaker and the way she combined personal experience with a theoretical underpinning made her presentation informative, accessible and hugely entertaining. The next two papers were interesting for me both on a personal level and because they gave a realistic well-documented insight into aspects of adult dyspraxia – everyday issues from Sharon Drew an OT, and the avoidance of physical activities from Elizabeth (Liz) Atter. Sharon’s talk has helped me to make practical improvements in my daily life while Liz’s useful suggestions as to how adult dyspraxics can participate in physical activities was encouraging.
After a lunch of friendly networking and a sharing of experiences, the first talk addressed the issue of dyspraxia in college and the workplace. I really liked the style of this presentation which involved two speakers: an OT, Frances Beaumont, who raised awareness at difficulties adults face in the workplace as an adult.
