Dyspraxia Awareness Day 2024

Have you heard about Dyspraxia also known as DCD (Developmental Coordination Disorder) and would you like to learn more about it? 

Do you suspect you or your child might have Dyspraxia and would like to receive some guidance and support? 

Would you like to connect with others who have Dyspraxia to share experiences and strategies?

Dyspraxia is a common yet often overlooked neurodevelopmental condition that affects motor skills and considerably impacts academic achievements and overall quality of life. Despite its prevalence, it remains misunderstood in educational, medical and professional settings, making it difficult for many to access the support they need to reach their full potential.

Whether you are a health professional, teacher, parent/carer, employer or someone with a personal interest in Dyspraxia, we invite you to join us for this annual knowledge exchange event. Learn about the latest research, insights and innovations to better support those with Dyspraxia and hear from a panel of adults living with Dyspraxia who will share their experiences and highlight how technology can play a supporting role.

Meet experts from the University of Surrey, health professionals and enjoy presentations, workshops and interactive demonstrations. As part of this unique workshop, you will have the opportunity to contribute to the University's ongoing research, participate in current studies and help design future ones. You will leave with new knowledge, fresh ideas, shared lived experiences and signposting to support services.

The event is a drop-in from 12-5pm so come along anytime. Light refreshments are available to attendees. Pay and display car parking is available nearby and the church is a short walk from Guildford mainline train station.

For any information or questions, please contact the organisers: Dr Judith Gentle (j.gentle@surrey.ac.uk) and Dr Marie Martel (m.martel@surrey.ac.uk). For more resources on Dyspraxia, please consult the webpage of the Motor Development and Impact (MoDI) Lab (Motor Development and Impact Lab | University of Surrey)

We would like to thank the Economic and Social Research Council  as part of their annual national Festival of Social Science, and The Waterloo Foundation, for jointly funding this event.

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Event Programme

12 – 12.30 pm: Welcome

Coffee, live polls, discussion with other attendees/speakers

12.30 – 1.15 pm: Research Talks

· Introduction to the event by Dr Judith Gentle, University of Surrey (j.gentle@surrey.ac.uk)

· Dr Marie Martel, University of Surrey (m.martel@surrey.ac.uk): “Motor adaptation in adults with DCD”

· Dr Liam O’Reilly, Brunel University of London: “Eye-tracking and DCD”

· Dr David Wright, Manchester Metropolitan University: “Using video demonstrations to help children with dyspraxia learn everyday movement skills”

· Roundtable and discussion with the attendees

1.15 – 2.00 pm: Insights on Dyspraxia

· Dr Sally Payne, Occupational Therapist: “How to get the most out of your healthcare professional”

· Krystal Shaw, Founder of The Dyspraxia Magazine

2.00 – 3.30 pm: Interactive session

· Coffee, live polls, discussion with other attendees/speakers

· 2.30-3.00 pm: Dr Darren Tunstall, University of Surrey: Workshop on walking with confidence

3.30 – 4.30 pm: Panel exploring the lived experiences of using technology to support DCD

Chaired by Dr Lewis Jayes, University of Surrey

· Panel members: Four adults sharing their lived experiences of Dyspraxia

4.30 – 5 pm: Wrap up

Coffee, discussion with other attendees/speakers