CHILDREN with dyspraxia can access a new support group for those under 12 thanks to a Teesside charity.

Dyspraxia is a developmental coordination disorder, which can affect motor skills, and is often misunderstood or not diagnosed properly.

The Roseberry Community Consortium, a charity which helps disadvantaged groups of youngsters across the Teesside region, including those in poverty, those facing disorders such as dyspraxia and dyslexia, and people struggling academically, has been running a group for dyspraxic adults and teens for some time.

However, it recognised there was a need for a group specific for children under 12, and has now set up a group to offer support to parents and children.

The sessions start at Elmwood Community Centre in Stockton tomorrow (Saturday, September 2) from 10am.

Advice, help and activities will be on offer, as well as the chance for parents to meet other parents in a similar situation. Roseberry is hoping volunteers will come forward to help run the group.

Pritthijit Datta, of the Roseberry Consortium, said: “Children with dyspraxia often feel isolated because it is often misunderstood and people call them weird, and it really hurts them. This group will improve social opportunities for them and help them to make friends and not feel so alone.

“It is also good that parents can meet and share ideas.”

Roseberry helps about 100 people through its work and is hoping to grow that number through its new support group, and through its other support groups for adults and teenagers at ARC in Stockton.

Dyspraxia can affect motor skills including sufferers’ ability to for example, climb, get in and out of cars, use pens or pencils, and they can often appear clumsy.

Some have poor skills for sequencing, planning and perception, and up to 50 per cent of children with the condition also meet the criteria for ADHD.

For further information about Roseberry, contact Pritthijit Datta on 07804 368 585 or visit www.roseberrycommunityconsortium.