Counselling for dyspraxia, dyslexia and related conditions

Neurodiversity is an umbrella term. It refers to conditions that are present from birth and characteristics of neurodiversity can include exceptional abilities, originality, determination, creativity, strategic thinking and empathy. That being said, neurodiverse conditions can also cause difficulties with literacy, numeracy, memory, organisation, concentration, perception, coordination, and listening skills. It is thought that 20% of the population has significant difficulties and that many more of us have some degree of neurodivergence.

Types of neurodiverse conditions

Below is a summary of neurodiverse conditions to be aware of. They can occur singly or in various combinations:

In this video, counsellor and coach Louise Taylor explains more about neurodiversity, including her own journey in embracing life as an autistic adult.

Challenges that can be explored in counselling

People with neurodiverse conditions can have problems 'fitting' in within their family, the educational system, and work and social situations. They often struggle with tasks which the majority of us take for granted and can be likely to underachieve educationally unless their condition is understood and provided for.

They may have to deal with bullying and labels such as lazy, stupid, naughty, immature and strange. This can result in low confidence and low self-esteem, loneliness and depression. There may be anxiety and frustration around managing daily activities and distress associated with feeling different and a failure.

"Everyone says I'm stupid but I know I'm not. I wish someone could understand what it's like to be me."

- Eight-year-old boy who is dyspraxic.

What are the benefits of counselling?

Your counsellor will respect and value you and will want to understand your experiences and the challenges you face. Talking to a qualified therapist can help you to come to terms with past experiences and to address current issues. Counselling is an opportunity to get to know yourself at a deeper level. It can enable you to feel more confident and empower you to make decisions and changes in your life.

People who have a child, sibling or spouse with the conditions I have described also face particular challenges and can benefit from exploring these with the support and understanding of an experienced counsellor.

If you're looking for a counsellor to help with any of the issues discussed in this article, use the search tool to find a professional you resonate with. You can contact them to learn more about how they can help and they will explain how the process will work from there.