Is your child having difficulty with reading, writing or having speech delay?
Updated: Apr 5, 2023
They might be having Motor Planning issues.
What is motor planning you might be wondering?
Motor planning, also known as praxis, is the ability to plan and coordinate the body's movements to accomplish a specific task. It involves a complex process of generating an idea, organizing the appropriate sequence of movements, and executing the movements in a smooth and coordinated manner.
Ideational apraxia and ideomotor apraxia are two types of apraxia, which is a motor planning disorder that affects a person's ability to carry out purposeful movements or gestures.
Ideational apraxia is a condition where a person has difficulty performing a sequence of movements that make up a complex task, such as brushing teeth or getting dressed. It occurs when there is a breakdown in the ability to form a plan or idea for a task.
On the other hand, ideomotor apraxia is a condition where a person has difficulty performing individual movements or gestures, such as waving goodbye or pointing.
It occurs when there is a breakdown in the ability to execute a movement even though the person has the idea or plan for the task.
When it comes to teaching individuals with apraxia, it is important to first understand the specific type of apraxia they have and the severity of their condition.
Occupational therapy can help individuals with difficulties in motor planning by providing them with specific interventions and strategies to improve their motor planning skills. These interventions may include:
Sensory Integration Therapy: This type of therapy involves engaging the senses to promote improved body awareness, coordination, and motor planning.
Motor Planning Activities: These are activities designed to challenge an individual's motor planning skills, such as obstacle courses, sports drills, or games that require precise movements.
Visual-Motor Integration: This type of therapy focuses on improving the ability to coordinate visual information with motor planning, such as tracing, copying, or drawing.
Environmental Modifications: Making adjustments to the environment can help individuals with motor planning difficulties, such as organizing a workspace or using specialized equipment.
Overall, occupational therapy can help individuals with motor planning difficulties to develop and improve their skills, leading to greater independence and success in daily activities.
Generally speaking, individuals with apraxia may benefit from a range of strategies including:
• Breaking down complex tasks into smaller, more manageable steps, and practicing each step in isolation before combining them. This can be done through visual aids or by using verbal cues to prompt the person through each step.
• Providing ample repetition and practice of the task to help build the person's motor memory and increase their familiarity with the movement.
• Using multisensory approaches to teaching, such as combining visual, auditory, and kinesthetic cues to reinforce the learning.
• Providing feedback and positive reinforcement for correct movements and attempts.
• Encouraging the person to engage in daily activities that involve the movements they struggle with, as this can help build their confidence and increase their independence over time.
In addition, working with a speech-language pathologist or occupational therapist who specializes in apraxia can be beneficial in developing an individualized treatment plan and providing ongoing support and guidance.
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