Beginning his career as a film actor at the mere age of 11, Daniel’s life was thrown upside down after he was cast as the boy wizard Harry Potter, as the books written by J.K. Rowling where one-by-one adapted for the big screen. Now at the age of 32, the star is set to reunite with fellow Harry Potter co-stars, mainly Emma Watson and Rupert Grint, to reminisce about their experience in the fantasy franchise. However, after being in the limelight for decades, it wasn’t until he was 19, that Daniel publicly discussed that he was dyspraxic.
Dyspraxia, known in full as Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD), is a fairly common condition that affects the motor coordination of both children and adults.
The Dyspraxia Foundation explains that DCD is distinct from other motor disorders such as cerebral palsy and stroke, and affects every individual differently.
In a statement given to the Daily Mail in 2008, one of Daniel’s representatives said that he was thankful that the star’s condition was only mild.
He went further to say: “Thankfully his condition is very mild and at worst manifests itself in an inability to tie his shoelaces and bad handwriting.”
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According to MyLondon, the star also revealed some of the pressures placed on him whilst at school. Daniel continued to say: “I was having a hard time at school, in terms of being crap at everything, with no discernible talent.”
Luckily for the star, his talent for acting came to ease any difficulties he might have been having.
The NHS explains that DCD is known to affect individuals’ physical coordination, limiting them in their daily activities and making them appear clumsy when they move.
The condition can be noticeable from a young age, when early developmental milestones such as crawling, walking, dressing and self-feeding become delayed.
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Children with DCD may also lack behind others of the same age in skills such as writing, drawing and overall academic performance.
Symptoms can change over time, with adults having slightly different experiences as they are exposed to different things. For example adults with DCD may struggle with the following:
- Coordination, balance and movement
- Learning new skills, think, and remember information at work and home
- Daily living skills, such as dressing or preparing meals
- The ability to write, type, draw and grasp small objects
- Functioning in social situations
- Dealing with your emotions
- Time management, planning and personal organisation skills.
Using his fame as a way to educate others about dyspraxia, Daniel has attempted to offer support to those dealing with learning difficulties, including ADHD and dyslexia as well.
In 2014, the star offered words of wisdom and encouragement to a 10-year-old girl with dyspraxia, whilst speaking on a Facebook live via The Wall Street Journal’s Speakeasy blog.
He said: “Do not let it stop you. It has never held me back, and some of the smartest people I know are people who have learning disabilities.
“The fact that some things are more of a struggle will only make you more determined, harder working and more imaginative in the solutions you find to problems.”
The NHS explains that the causes of DCD is due to the different nerves and parts of the brain not completely working together. Although it is still unclear specifically why this is, there are a number of risk factors that can increase a child’s likelihood of developing DCD.
This includes:
- Being born prematurely, before the 37th week of pregnancy
- Being born with a low birth weight
- Having a family history of DCD, although it is not clear exactly which genes may be involved in the condition
- A mother drinking alcohol or taking illegal drugs while pregnant
The condition is also more common in men and boys in comparison to women and girls.
As Daniel rightly said, dyspraxia should never hold individuals back, but for those who are particularly struggling, and want to help manage their condition, the NHS recommends therapy.
For children therapy will focus on teaching ways of doing activities that individuals may find particularly difficult, or adapting tasks to make them easier by using special grips, pens and pencils so they are easier to hold.
For adults, occupational therapy or cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) can assist with daily living, and help individuals to find practical ways to remain independent and manage everyday tasks. It may also help if individuals strive to keep fit, remain organised and use a computer or laptop if writing by hand becomes too difficult.