Dyspraxia & Apraxia Support Group

we are all unique in our own way. You sound like a wonderful person and i personally dont suffer from that particular illness. but i do believe you would have many strengths you will just have to find them.

Hi, its so easy to beat yourself up for your weaknesses, I know, I've been there many times myself. Through attending a disability college I myself have managed to discover that although we have our weaknesses we have so many strengths. I can only speak for myself, but things like creativity, problem solving abilities, determination, I never give up, never, my motto is no retreat no surrender, thats how I live. There are many strengths with dyspraxia. I believe we are generally very caring and loving. We may not always show it, but I would say most of us would prefer to work with people, or computers, some of us enjoy working with people, but also, some of us prefer to work with computers, generally I would say because they enjoy doing something which would give them many problems to solve. You've just got to think of all the time when people have praised you, or all the times when you have been happy with yourself. Trust me, it may take a while but have a look inside yourself, talk to your friends, your family. They will probably be able to see them more than you, and it will do your self esteem no end of good to hear people say nice things about you.

I hope this helps,

Riddles

hi i didnt know i was dyspraxic untill i was 19, and i also didnt know that i had strategies to deal with things that i had learned to do over time, i just always thought of my self as stupid. I still cant do my left and right without looking at my hands or say the sounds of the alpabet. But i was determined to prove every teacher and everyone who had given up on me wrong that i could do something with my life. I found by making people aware they are more understanding when you ask questions or need help spelling a simple word. You arent stupid and you mustnt let yourself think that. Each person is different and we are all good at some things and not others, but try not to let it get you down, as you are a wonderful person who im sure has alot to offer

I think like the others, one of my strengths is determination, since I am used to encountering obstacles and finding ways to get around them. My mum never let me give up as a child, when I had difficulties tying my shoelaces or skipping, for example. I kept trying until I had grasped it. I tend to freak out when I see a problem at first - and some problems to me may be small or nonexistent to anyone else. But then I calm down and keep going.

I also think having a problem like this teaches you self sufficiency because so few people know what it is or can understand you. I am happy on my own or even when I am with other people I am happy to be silent in my own world in a way other people are not.

One of my other strengths (although it can be a weakness in situations such as job interviews) is that I am myself, I cannot pretend to be anything I am not. If someone asks how I am, I tell them the truth.

Kathleeen, you say you "do not suffer from that particular illness". Do you mean you are not dyspraxic, as that is the only illness mentioned in the original post? And if so, why are you commenting in a dyspraxia group? I am curious.

I can read, write communicate to people,sing,plan,come up with ideas,using my own inititive, explain my lifesyle,make my own decisions, I have huge determination to get me palces and great computer skills.They say that if you have a few certain areas that you have difficulties with, then you will gain alot more skills in other areas, such as a great sense of humour,good with people,huge ambitions or determination,working extra hard.etc.."Hope this reprases your mind

My daughter who is now 8 has dyspraxia. At times, I have been thinking over that saying that people with dyspraxia or autism or whatever will develop strengths that will make up for their areas which they find hard. I guess sometimes I am looking for a specific skills area (art, computer, something concrete) - but actually I am coming to realise that one of her strengths is more about her inner character - a very gentle, loving, responsible, considerate person who has great capacity to empathise with others. So I've stopped looking for her to be good at school, or good at art or whatever (although I think she will find areas she will be good at there too) and relaxing, because she is growing up to be a lovely person. And as many other people have said here, she is very strong and determined inside, despite all the challenges she has to deal with. What more can I want? Be who you are and be proud of what you have achieved, because you know how much that is - even if the outside world doesn't.

Wow rachL, I agree! You dd sounds just like my son. Caring, compassionate, an inner strength and beauty so much deeper than most other kids their age. Such a big heart! Sometimes too sensitive but I find that gives him a heart for 'causes' the homeless, the poor, the sick, etc. He'll never be a surgeon, but perhaps he'll make a good family counselor or outreach worker. My Dad also has Dyspraxia and he worked in soup kitchens and with alcohol support groups his whole life.

Something to keep in mind about learning disorders - they are simply that "about learning". By and large those of us with learning disorders are actually some of the true geniuses - we are simply having difficulty coordinating our thoughts & actions. A recent IQ test revealed that I'm at 137 - which I understand is on the above average side.

Lizzie mentioned self-sufficiency, to this point I agree. Before I knew that I was plagued by symptoms of all these learning disorders I simply made do & created work arounds to get the things I wanted to get done done. Thus any time you create a way to minimize your weaknesses you are tapping into your inner genius.

Note: as my symptoms have been slowly disappearing over the past year I have come to realize how all those years of making up for my learning challenges have made me a stronger & more resilient person compared to most of the population. The struggle has made me more creative and determined to succeed. Now in addition to that creativity my mind is clearing up & I am able to harness all my strengths.

Bottom Line: HiDi2 - you are a unique individual, there is only one of you in the whole world. What you were born to create is still inside you and it is your duty to share it with the world. Instead of focusing on your weaknesses, banish them entirely. For a great reference I highly recommend reading: The Law of Attraction by Michael L. Losier - it just might change your life for good.

I have no official diagnosis of Apraxia, but I have been diagnosed with a learning disability. I fit a lot of the characteristics of Apraxia, didn't learn to tie my shoes until I was five, have illegible handwriting, disorganized in general, have time management issues. I can drive a car but I am terrible at physical things.
If I have strengths, I would say that I never give up. I have a mother who would never give up, whever my learning disability reared its head or interfered, she said "There's a way"
I am very funny, I make frieds well, I'm fair, I am generally a good writer and have won awards and been published. I'm intelligent and I have a great memory.
The way I see it, I can have a good cry on occaision becuase things are hard, but then, I really must get up, wipe my tears, and go on. On my refrigerator, I wrote down this quote on a scrap of paper (Only I can read it, advantage of the disability, no one can read your notes)
"You are a warrior, and you must not turn your back on the Battlefield"- Unknown

I did not know I was Dyspraxic BPI Aspergers etc till I was 50. I cannot swim, drive a car, ride a bike or (I am told) dance. But I can write poetry, teach, pass exams, practice law, run a business, etc. So we can do lots and lts of stuff.