Sports for a child with dyspraxia can be a double-edged sword.
On one hand, they are not going to have the same ability as neuro-typical children, especially body-smart children, but on the other hand, in order to develop their coordination and brain/body communication, they need to exercise their body.
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Some sports are better suited for a child with dyspraxia, while other sports might be downright frustrating!
And that’s not to say you should avoid sports that require more coordination. However, realize it will take more work for your dyspraxic child than other kids. But, if your kiddo has a desire to participate in a sport that requires more coordination, and is willing to put the work in, then go for it!
Whatever sport you end up choosing for your child, finding coaches/instructors that are understanding and flexible is key!
4 Sports to consider for your child with dyspraxia
1)Martial Arts
Martial arts, such as taekwondo, karate, jujitsu, etc are individual sports that help develop strength, endurance, confidence, agility, and focus. There’s also a lot of crossing the midline in martial arts, which helps strengthen both sides of the brain and develop coordination.
2)Swimming
After my son completed a 6-month course of the Brain Balance program, the program director recommended swimming lessons as his suggestion for a sport/activity to get involved in next. This is due to the fact that when you’re in the water, you have more awareness of your body because of the resistance of the water. Swimming is a great choice for kiddos with dyspraxia.
3)Tennis
Our son with dyspraxia just started tennis. So far he’s enjoying it! And while it is a sport with a huge focus on coordination, it is not as intense as basketball/soccer/football, etc., as there is more of an individual focus to it. There’s also a lot of repetition in tennis which helps improve motor planning (a skill that may be weaker in individuals with dyspraxia)
4)Running
Since running doesn’t require as much “skill” you can focus on other things like your form, which helps build body awareness (which is always helpful for kids with dyspraxia.) Success in running doesn’t depend on how coordinated you are or aren’t. But running does demand hard work and endurance! And while some kiddos may not be predisposed to be athletic, they have a chance at being a successful runner if they can put the hard work in. And you can still be a part of a team too! We used these shoes for my son’s first experience running on a track team. It helped minimize frustration. 🙂
**And I’m speaking from my own personal experience here… As a kid, who wasn’t the most coordinated, I did not do well in team sports (basketball, soccer, etc.) But I was able to succeed in cross country and track which was a confidence booster!
