Apraxia, according to a medical journal, is defined as "a loss or diminution in ability, caused by neurological impairment usually in the left hemisphere of the brain, to perform purposeful bodily movements on request".

This condition is neurological in nature and results in children being unable to perform everyday actions we would normally take for granted.

Strangely though, those same actions can be performed unimpaired when they arise in a natural context.

The early warning signs will show in a child's inability to perform simple actions considered normal by other children of the same age.

For example, request a child with Apraxia to wave goodbye. The chances are, they won't respond. Watch the same child when a friend or relative leaves your home. In this situation, the child will most likely wave goodbye because they have reacted to a natural situation rather than a request.

The condition known as Apraxia comes in many different forms affecting the victim in a specific way. Therefore the signs a parent observes will depend on the type of Apraxia.

Note the differences that exist within the same condition.

akinetic apraxia (impaired ability to perform a spontaneous gesture)

amnesic apraxia (impaired ability to perform purposeful bodily movements or gestures on request because of amnesia)

constructional apraxia (impaired ability to copy simple drawings or patterns)

dressing apraxia (impaired ability to dress)

gait apraxia (impaired ability to walk)

ideational apraxia (impaired ability to repeat previously well-established actions)

ideomotor apraxia (impaired ability to imitate unfamiliar actions)

left-sided apraxia (impaired ability to carry out verbal requests with the left side of the body)

oculomotor apraxia (impaired ability to make eye movements)

oral apraxia (impaired ability to perform actions of the mouth and tongue, such as opening the mouth or protruding the tongue)

paramimia (impaired ability to gesture)

sensory apraxia (another name for ideational apraxia)

speech apraxia (impaired ability to speak, without other language impairments)

Apraxia can be diagnosed by parents initially as they observe the development of their child and pay close attention to their responses to simple tasks.

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