Mastery of Movement: Dyspraxia Support in Wellington
From "Clumsiness" to Coordination through Unique Cognitive Tools
Dyspraxia, often referred to as Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD), is sometimes described as the "clumsy version of dyslexia."
It affects how the brain processes information, resulting in challenges with movement, coordination, and spatial awareness.
If you or your child struggle with dyspraxia in the Wellington or Kāpiti region, our specialized Davis-based approach offers a way to bridge the gap between perception and action—without the need for clinical intervention.
The Mechanics of Dyspraxia
Understanding the Coordination Gap
For most people, the "mind's eye" is located in a stable place behind the head. However, those with Dyspraxia often perceive the world from a point in front of them or below their line of sight.
The result? The brain "sees" something before the eyes do. This split-second gap between what the eyes see and what the brain perceives causes disorientation.
Why it feels like "Clumsiness" Think of the feeling you get when stepping off a merry-go-round—the world seems to move while you are still. This is disorientation. For a dyspraxic learner, this can happen in everyday moments, leading to:
🔸Mis-timed reactions: Missing a catch because the timing is "off."
🔸Environmental collisions: Knocking things over, bumping into furniture, or tripping over kerbs.
🔸Physical discomfort: Symptoms like vertigo, dizziness, or even nausea during busy activities.
Common challenges we address include:
🔸Gross Motor Skills: Running, balance, riding a bike, catching a ball or navigating stairs.
🔸Fine Motor Skills: Using a knife and fork, tying laces, or using scissors.
🔸Spatial Awareness: Frequent bumping into furniture, dropping objects, or "fumble-fingers."
🔸Sensory Filtering: Difficulty tuning out background noise or dealing with sudden changes in the environment.
🔸Social Navigation: Reading social cues, eye contact, and understanding personal space.
A Personal Note from Rachel
"I grew up as an undiagnosed dyspraxic kid in South Canterbury. I was the 'D-reserve' on the netball team,
always feeling like I was letting the team down because I couldn't catch a ball.
I felt the embarrassment of spilling food and tripping over my own toes for decades.
Discovering the Davis tools at age 50 was a revelation.
By learning to control my 'disorientations,' I finally gained the coordination I’d lacked my whole life.
Today, I’m more confident on my bike, in the kitchen, and in my daily movements.
My mission is to ensure nobody has to feel 'clumsy' for a lifetime, when the tools to change are right here."
Davis Tools for Dyspraxia are a tried-and-tested set of tools, that help people with dyspraxia function just the same as ‘the other kids’ (or adults).
The Davis Path to Physical Confidence
We don't just "practice" movements; we address the root cause—how the brain perceives space and time.
🔸Orientation Tools: We teach the learner how to stabilize their perception so their brain and body are finally "in sync."
🔸Concept Mastery: Using clay, we master a range of life concepts such as Time, Sequence, and Order. If you don't intuitively "get" sequence, you cannot successfully tie a shoelace or follow a dance step.
🔸Real-World Application: We spend time in the studio practicing and developing the specific skills of the individual—whether that’s catching a ball, riding a bike, or improving handwriting.
What to Expect: Your Dyspraxia Mastery Programme
The journey starts with an Initial Consultation. This is an informal, no-obligation chat where we get to know each other. We focus on your specific strengths and challenges, ensuring that the goals we set are your goals.
Once we begin, I tailor a programme that incorporates the core Davis tools of focus, relaxation, and energy management. We don't just "talk" about change—we build it.
Mastering Concepts in Clay
To resolve disorientation, we explore foundational concepts like Change, Consequence, Time, Sequence, Order, and Disorder. We master these in clay first, then observe and experience them in the real world. This ensures the concepts become a permanent part of your identity, not just a memorized rule.
Hands-On Skills & Real-World Results
Depending on your personal goals, our time together can be spent developing:
🔸Physical Coordination: Ball skills, riding bikes or scooters, and tying laces.
🔸Daily Independence: Organizing rooms, desks, or personal schedules.
🔸Fine Motor Control: Handwriting and solving puzzles.
🔸Academic Logic: Organizing essays and sequencing complex tasks.
By linking every activity back to your own goals, we ensure that progress isn't just happening in the studio—it’s happening in your life.
What’s Included in Your Programme
Initial Consultation:
To assess fit, strengths and set personal goals.
36–42 Hour 1:1 Intensive: Tailored specifically to your physical and cognitive goals.
Support Training: For a family member to help maintain progress at home.
Follow-up Support: Unlimited phone and email support and three in-person review sessions
The Davis Kit: All materials required for follow-up work and mastery.
Success Story: S (Aged 9)
S was a bright boy who struggled to participate in team sports and often fell down in a pile of giggles.
Through his 1:1 Davis programme, he learned to control his perception.
Soon, he was confidently catching balls, DJing at school events (handling four microphones at once!), and showing leadership to younger students.
He took up BMX bike riding, and became his school champion.
His teachers reported a massive shift in focus and physical confidence.
Ready to Move with Confidence?
Being "clumsy" doesn't have to be a lifelong sentence.
Let’s shift those coordination challenges into physical talents.
Master Dyslexia | Waikanae, Kāpiti Coast
Providing specialist Dyslexia mastery and natural ADHD support across the Wellington Region, including the Kāpiti Coast, Levin, the Hutt Valley, and Wellington City
Professional services described as Davis™, including Davis Mastery for Dyslexia®, Davis™ Symbol Mastery, Davis™ Orientation Counseling, Davis™ Mastery for Attention, Davis™ Mastery for Maths, and Davis™ Foundations for Learning Literacy may only be provided by persons who are trained and licensed as Davis Facilitators or Specialists by Davis Dyslexia Association International.