Dyspraxia is effecting my daughters dancing

My daughter is 12 and has dyspraxia but regardless she continually struggles to be as good as her friends, she loves ballet so much and it can sometimes seem unfair to the amount effort she puts in to the achievment she reaches which then affects her confidence and self esteem and makes things worse.

She has been dancing since she was five and is in grade 4 ISTD. Most of her friends are soon going on pointe but I am really worried that this will knock her confidence as I know she will find it difficult. Building confidence being the reason she started dance in the first place but lately seems to be backfiring, She also takes classes in tap and modern dance.

Is there hope for her or should I persuade her to give up what she loves most? please help a parent that only wants what is best for her child.

November 14, 2006 | In Questions |

7 Comments »

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  1. That is a difficult question indeed. I am afraid I must admit I had to look dyspraxia up, as I have had no experience with it. I understand from what I have read that it affects fine motor coordination, which, it seems to me, would certainly impact how she dances on pointe. Without commenting on dyspraxia, as I have no basis to do so, I can only say that pointe work, if previous preparatory training is good, and the approach to pointe work is very slow and careful, is very strengthening and can be a great deal of fun (though granted, blisters are not fun). However, it does require excellent coordination to do properly, and any technical deficiency a dancer has to begin with is made more apparent by pointe work.

    Again, as I have no experience with dyspraxia and have never seen your daughter dance — which is a bit of a problem with any comment made over the internet, to anyone involved in a physical activity — I can’t possibly give you a definitive yes or or whether she should try pointe, as it might cause injury, or even continue dancing if it is frustrating her. However, if she loves dancing, and can cope with the difference between her level of ability and her friends, it would be a shame to have her stop. I would consult with her teacher, who must be aware of her difficulty, and discuss it very carefully to come to a solution that I hope is the best for your daughter. I wish you great luck, and success for your daughter.

    Comment by Zoe — November 15, 2006 #

  2. Your daughter’s ballet teacher(s) should be aware of your daughter’s difficulties (and if they aren’t already, it’s certainly time to tell them!)
    Just because the rest of the class is ready for pointe work, doesn’t mean your daughter is, and she should understand that it doesn’t mean she’s not as good as them in what she CAN do, only that she’s not ready yet for pointe work, and with hard work and conscientous effort she may be ready for it eventually.
    My daughter is 11, but the other girls in her class are up to 3 years older than her. The teacher has made noises about putting them en pointe sometime next year, but if they want to put my girl up on her toes I’m going to resist as long as possible, because I believe she’s too young, even if the other girls in the class are ready!
    Jen

    Comment by Jen — November 17, 2006 #

  3. im not the most experienced dancer in the world and most people would still call me a kid however i love dancing even though im not serious and dont compete when i first started pointe a whole new world was opened up to me. I dont exactly look great when i dance but its one of those things that i couldnt live without so leave the decision up to your daughter, even if she only does it for 6 months and then decides she doesnt like she will have had the opportunity and it doesnt matter how well you perform en pointe its whether you love what your doing or not.

    Comment by Em — November 17, 2006 #

  4. It’s better to be a bit disappointed than to take on pointe if you think her disease will cause her injury in attempting it.

    If building confidence is the thing, she can focus on other ballet moves, or possibly another hobby that won’t be as affected by it.

    Comment by Tyciol — November 19, 2006 #

  5. I am an Occupational Therapist working with children with dyspraxia who also has an interest in ballet If your daughter is attending a clinic for help with her dyspraxia I suggest you connect her Physio or Occupational Therapist with her teacher. Together they will be able to work out strategies to help her. It is good for her to continue dancing if she is motivated to do so.
    Mairead

    Comment by mairead — November 20, 2006 #

  6. Thanks for all the advice, I guess at the end of the day it has to be about her and how she feels after being given informed information from those that know her best

    Comment by Anita — November 30, 2006 #

  7. I have been dancing since I was 7 years old, I was never put on pointe because I am just not able to. But actually after 10 years of lessons I still love ballet, even without the pointe work which the others in my class are actually doing…. so don’t let your daughter give up!

    Comment by sam — March 14, 2007 #

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