Writing my own future

Liam, who’s 14, wants to set up his own business one day – and refuses to let developmental coordination disorder dampen his entrepreneurial spirit.

I am currently studying for my GCSEs. My favourite subjects are Media and Business Studies. I like these subjects because they are interesting and they teach you skills that you can use. I would like to set up my own business in the future; designing high end computer cases and other computer parts.

I was diagnosed with developmental coordination disorder (DCD) in primary school. DCD mainly affects me by making me feel tired all the time and I am also not able to write. I do not really think about my DCD much because it is just part of who I am; although sometimes I do wish I had more energy to do fun things.

The main problem for me with having DCD is that I am not able to write legibly. It is really frustrating as it is hard to capture the ideas in your head when you cannot write them down. Using a laptop at college helps because I can take notes down fast. When I was younger I tried really hard to learn to write but my DCD means it was too difficult and I still can’t even read my own writing! Learning to touch type was one of the best things ever. I did not like learning by using typing programmes. I preferred to teach myself by typing each day. I would advise anyone else with DCD to learn to type by writing a story as this helps you to learn to type, as well as improving your literacy skills. Using a laptop can be difficult in English sometimes as you are not really able to annotate texts; although teachers will often help by giving me annotated notes. The other issue is when teachers use handouts like worksheets or diagrams. The problem with handouts is that you cannot edit them on your laptop and then you have to try and write your answers on the sheet – which is tricky for me to do and I cannot read what I have written when I come to revise!

My DCD also makes me feel perpetually exhausted so I don’t have the energy to do much outside of college. During the school holidays and at weekends I try to get as much rest as I can. I enjoy playing video games in my spare time (which also helps with my reactions and fine motor skills!) and I also like going out to take photos and make videos with my camera.

• DCD, which affects movement and coordination, is thought to affect one in 20 children
• You can find out about research Action is funding, and how our support has already helped researchers develop tests that are now widely used to help young people like Liam, in our Touching Lives magazine.