Dyspraxia Strengths within Sport

Although people with dyspraxia may have many difficulties when it comes to doing certain exercises or tasks, they do also possess considerate strengths to consider. As much as their struggles may make them have to do things in different ways, this can also be used as an advantage, as their opponents will have to deal with something they are not necessarily used to dealing with.

People with dyspraxia often have strong leadership skills and could make great team leaders, managers, or directors and be able to command with their organisational skills. They usually have high levels of empathy, which can be a big positive in any environment. In the football world they could be a good sounding board for their colleagues or players and understand situations better than others. Because they face so many difficulties that they face on a daily basis, this builds up resilience and can therefore make them very determined individuals.

Here are some of the strengths people with dyspraxia have:

• Leadership – Can make great managers and coaches
• Empathy – Can understand and develop others around them, passing on their knowledge
• Strategy – Coming up with new training plans/tactics
• Problem Solving – Finding a way to win/being able to implement new systems
• Determination and Resilience – Driven to get results/can overcome setbacks
• Enthusiasm and passion – Cares about their work/wants to help others
• Creativity – Can produce moments of brilliance/new techniques/do things differently
• Noticing small details – Spotting talent/behaviours/weaknesses or strengths in others