Why some of us can’t help being clumsy…

clumsy, genetic, clumsiness

Mild clumsiness – such as tripping over shoelaces, bumping your elbow, dropping your keys, etc – is not likely to be a biological or hereditary trait, but doctors do believe that severe clumsiness has genetic causes. Studies have shown that severe childhood clumsiness is often caused by a developmental disorder. Such children take far longer to reach developmental milestones like walking, running, dressing themselves, etc. Occupational therapy works wonders in many cases. Severe clumsiness in adults can also be cause for concern. Symptoms like involuntary movements and an unsteady gait can be early signs of Huntington’s disease, a hereditary degenerative brain disorder, though don’t panic – often clumsiness is simply a case of poor co-ordination.

Answered by Dave Roos