Losing the word mid-sentence. Talking over someone by accident. Thinking of the perfect reply an hour later, in the shower.
Speaking is movement too: lips, tongue, breath and voice all working together at speed. For some dyspraxic people, that’s affected as well.
Talking is movement too
We don’t usually think of speaking as a physical skill, but it’s one of the most finely coordinated things the body does. For some dyspraxic people, that coordination is affected in the same way hand and body movements are.
Speaking takes fast, precise coordination of lips, tongue, breath, and voice. For some dyspraxic people, that’s affected too.
I know exactly what I want to say. Getting it out is the hard part.
Not every dyspraxic person has speech differences. Everyone’s mix is different.
Speech wobbles
It doesn’t affect everyone, and when it does, it can show up in quite different ways. These are the ones people describe most often.
- Pace: Too fast, too slow, or stop-start.
- Volume: Louder or quieter than you meant.
- Word-finding: It’s right there… and gone.
- Jumbled order: Words come out in the wrong order.
- Tricky sounds: Long words and tongue-twisters.
- Processing: Needing a beat before replying.
Mid-sentence moments
If conversations sometimes leave you feeling a step behind, these moments might be familiar. They’re frustrating, but they’re not a reflection of how much you know or how clearly you think.
- Losing the word mid-sentence: “Pass me the… thing. You know. The thing.”
- Talking over people by accident: Timing a conversation is hard.
- The perfect reply, an hour later: In the shower, naturally.
- Phone calls are the worst: No faces, no pauses, no time.
Small swaps
You can’t always control how a conversation goes, but you can choose formats that give you more time. Small changes take a lot of pressure off.
| Instead of | Try |
|---|---|
| Phone calls. | Texts, emails, or voice notes. |
| Answering straight away. | “Let me think about that.” |
| Winging big conversations. | Notes or bullet points first. |
How to help
The people around you can make conversations much easier, often without doing very much at all. If you find it hard to ask, this section is one to share.
- Give us time: Don’t finish our sentences.
- Don’t point it out: We already noticed.
- Check, don’t guess: Ask if you didn’t catch it.
- Offer other ways: Writing it down is fine too.
Good to know: Verbal dyspraxia is a related but separate diagnosis. A speech and language therapist can help with speech difficulties.
Conversation kit
Finally, a few simple tools and habits can help you feel more prepared. They work by giving your brain a moment to plan before you need to speak.
- Notes app scripts: For calls and meetings
- Voice notes: Re-record if needed
- Text first: Then call if needed
- A pause phrase: “Give me a second”
- A slow breath: Before you start
Wrapping up
Your words are worth waiting for. The right people will wait.
Taking longer to find your words doesn’t make what you say less valuable. Good conversations aren’t a race, and the people worth talking to will be happy to wait for you.
Next in the series: Dyspraxia, ADHD or Autism? How They Overlap
This post is for general information and isn’t medical advice or a diagnosis. If it resonates, speak to your GP or an occupational therapist.