10 Signs You Suffer From “Clumsy Syndrome”

We can all have some type of difficulty related to activities that require movement, whether to a greater or lesser degree.

It may be that you find it difficult to play sports or that you feel like you have two left feet (being right-handed) when following a choreography. This happens to everyone and just indicates that we don’t have that much skill to perform a certain task.

However, for some people, performing any kind of movement or repeating a sequence of physical steps are impossible tasks. They fail the practical exam to get their driver’s license several times, they bump into strangers on the street all the time, they cut themselves very easily when peeling a fruit and they just can’t distinguish right and left.

If you identify with this description, you may suffer from “clumsy syndrome” – or dyspraxia, in official nomenclature.

Learn more about dyspraxia

It is estimated that 2% to 10% of the population suffer from this disease, manifesting it since childhood. However, many cases are not diagnosed because parents and teachers, who are closest to the child, do not always know that there is a disease with these characteristics.

Furthermore, dyspraxia may be little known even among the medical community, being often confused with another illness, usually of an emotional nature. This also happens because the symptoms are not always clear: the most common symptom is lack of motor coordination, whether for fine movements or not, but not all patients have this difficulty.

If you’ve always been a little clumsy, only a specialist neurologist can confirm or reject a diagnosis of dyspraxia. However, in case you are curious about this syndrome, take a look at some symptoms of the disease:

1. You were a clumsy child

In the 1970s, dyspraxia was known as “clumsy child syndrome”, as people who suffer from this condition were already born with this characteristic. That is, tripping, dropping objects and spilling liquids are things that have accompanied you since childhood.

2. You were embarrassed by your lack of coordination

As a child, you were aware that you couldn’t do some things as well as other kids, like play ball, run, or do crafts. Because of this, you felt inferior and avoided doing these activities.

3. Your balance is poor

Standing still is very difficult as you lean back and forth. Standing on one foot, then, no talking… If you identified yourself, it is possible that you have balance problems – another of the characteristics of dyspraxia.

4. Doing two things at once is impossible

Grab food at the buffet and hold an umbrella? Walk and have an ice cream? Forget it, you can’t do two things at once. This also applies to mental activities, such as reading while music is playing.

5. Talking or eating are complicated activities

For some people with dyspraxia, even talking or eating is challenging activities. This is because, even though these processes are automatic for most of the population, they require the coordination of several organs and movements at the same time.

6. You consume alcoholic beverages to reduce symptoms

Some people with dyspraxia turn to alcoholic beverages to reduce the overload of the senses and to feel less constrained by their lack of coordination. Needless to say, this is not a good solution, do we?

7. Right and left: all the same

A classic symptom of dyspraxia is not being able to distinguish between the right side and the left side. Also, some people feel very difficult to perform any movement with their non-dominant side. Others, meanwhile, aren’t sure whether they’re right-handed or left-handed, as the skill (or lack thereof) is the same with both hands.

8. Organization is not your forte

Are you always running late, forgetting your belongings, and just erasing tasks from your mind if you don’t write them down? For know that this is another possible sign of dyspraxia.

9. Driving is too complicated for you

Do you think you’re driving straight, but you’re actually leaning to one side? Or do you seem to be attracted to inanimate objects like trash cans and signs and end up bumping into them? The clumsy syndrome may be to blame.

10. It’s virtually impossible to learn a sequence of moves

More than feeling unable to dance a choreography, repeating sequences such as the steps to park the car, follow a recipe, swim or even make coffee is an immense challenge for you. Any sequence with more than two steps is already a problem.

Of course, only a specialist doctor can confirm the diagnosis of dyspraxia, however, if this is the case for you or your child, know that there is treatment. The approach is usually multidisciplinary and involves physical therapy, occupational therapy and psychology, among other areas.

The information contained on this page is for informational purposes only. They do not replace the advice and follow-up of doctors, nutritionists, psychologists, physical education professionals and other specialists.