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Thursday, July 09, 2009

Celebrities with special needs: Daniel Radcilffe, Dyspraxia



On July 15th thousands of Harry Potter fans will rush to local theaters to watch the latest installment of JK Rowling’s popular novels on the big screen. The Half Blood Prince has Daniel Radcliffe once again playing the bespectacled wizard Harry Potter in what is sure to be an amazing performance. Radcliffe has really come to his own as an actor not only in the Harry Potter series but also in other films such as December Boys and on stage in Equus. It is hard to believe that Radcliffe would have any problems when you see him running around and dueling evil wizards in his movies, but last year this talented young man told the world that he has Dyspraxia.

Dyspraxia is a motor learning disability It can cover a wide range of problems from speech to walking. There is no known cause, but it is thought to have something to do with neuron development. Children with Dyspraxia are often considered to be clumsy or uncoordinated and have trouble following directions. When the child is a baby he may be delayed in sitting up, walking, and talking. In the preschool years he may have trouble with potty training, learning how to dress himself, focusing on a task, or completing puzzles. As an older child, he may have trouble with organization, school work (especially math and writing), and remembering instructions.

It is important that you talk to your doctor if you have concerns that your child may have Dyspraxia. With intervention, people with Dyspraixia may improve on some of their symptoms. Young children with this disorder typically have speech, physical, and occupational therapies to help them with their delays. Therapy is not a cure all, but it can help. Radcliffe once joked in an interview that sometimes he has difficulties tying his shoes. While he may have trouble with those pesky shoelaces, he has stunned the world with his performances. Daniel Radcliffe is yet another great example of how a disability does not define you, it’s just a small part of who you are.

Source: Examiner.Com

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