I believe I was nominated for this award because of my sustained professional and personal commitment to raising awareness of Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD/Dyspraxia) and improving understanding of its impact across the lifespan.
As a researcher at the University of Surrey (
https://www.surrey.ac.uk/people/judith-gentle) and a parent of an adult with DCD, my work is driven by both academic expertise and lived experience. I am passionate about ensuring that DCD is recognised and appropriately supported, particularly in education and community settings where awareness remains limited.
As Director of the University of Surrey’s Motor Development and Impact (MoDI) Lab (
https://www.surrey.ac.uk/motor-development-and-impact-lab) my research examines how DCD affects motor development, navigation, perception, wellbeing and academic performance, contributing to international understanding of the condition. I maintain a dedicated DCD participant database, and work closely with the University’s Disability and Neurodiversity team and Inclusive Education Working Group to embed better awareness of DCD in higher education. I am committed to sharing my work widely. Since 2011 I have presented at more than 20 national and international conferences and regularly contribute to school outreach, webinars, blogs and workshops.
For the past four years, I have co-organised the annual Dyspraxia Awareness Event at the University of Surrey. The event showcases current research, provides practical demonstrations to help others understand lived experiences of DCD, and creates space for individuals, families and professionals to share insights and shape future research.
My lived experience as a parent fuels my determination to bridge the gap between research and real-world impact. I aim to reduce stigma, raise awareness and improve outcomes for individuals with DCD across the lifespan. Thank you for considering my nomination.
