So What is Going on in the Brain? 
The cerebral cortex is the large uppermost area of the brain. The cerebral cortex can be divided into four distinctive areas. These are; the motor area, the frontal lobe, the sensory area and the hind cerebral cortex. As the name suggests, the frontal lobe is situated at the front of the brain. Both the motor and sensory areas are bands radiating across the brain, immediately after the frontal lobe. Behind the sensory cortex is the hind cerebral cortex, where the auditory and visual areas are held deep within the brain itself.
Impulses from sensory organs are relayed to the cerebral cortex by means of a network of pathways of nerve fibres. In the course of growing and learning, the connections between the nerve cells (neural pathways) become established. They are reinforced when the desired outcomes are achieved - for example, a child learning to process the complex series of movements required to pick up a cup and drink from it. Constant repetition allows the planning of these actions to become almost reflexive. Using external sensory input e.g. sight and sound, together with these 'learned' patterns of movement, the cerebral cortex is able to judge the best course of action to take. It then sends out the appropriate motor impulses.
MRI (Magnetic brain scan) techniques have identified immaturities in the development of these neural pathways in some individuals with Dyspraxia. If these 'pathways' remain undeveloped, it stands to reason that the childís co-ordination and efforts at controlled movement will remain undeveloped also.
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