Hi Sphil, have this on watch and remember to check occasionally. Congrats on the dx for DS1. I'm not sure how much the (private) OT is helping now. Sometimes I feel like I am just pouring endless amounts of money down the drain DS still has a strange pencil grip and sadly, his school don't support our attempts to change it, as the NHS OT who visited him at school said you can't change it after 7 years and the school are going with that .

My other bug-bear (sorry) is that because he has a statement (which he doesn't really need but the school do) he has been put in the bottom set for maths, despite being 'gifted' so the LSA can support all the strugglers. Hence, he is bored and self-esteem gone a bit AWOL academically. Again. Grrr!

Having said that, he's got a good (male) teacher who is really inspiring him and he's very happy. I'd love to hear how all the other dreamers are getting on.

Can't claim any credit I'm afraid - I think it was Bink who started the very first 'dreamers' thread. But it is a great title isn't it?

No idea about the rest of the thread. But just had to post to congratulate you on the marvellous thread title.

Update after ages - don't know if anyone still looks at this. DS1 is now 8 and was diagnosed with dyspraxia a month ago. We're just about to have a private appointment with an OT. School being a bit more proactive this year - partly the dx, partly the fact he has a great teacher who actually DOES stuff rather than just talking about it.

Most importantly the dx has made DS1 more confident - he just says that it has 'explained this about myself'.

How are all the other dreamers doing?

Duh! Ignore that. It was on the previous page.

I'm wondering and so is DH now. Someone told me that his new school does a screen for various types of 'dys-' including dyspraxia and dysgraphia, so I'm not sure if we should wait until September and see if they pick anything up.

Remind me, as it takes a long time to go through this thread - did you instigate your DS's assessment yourself in the end?

He could be singersgirl. Certainly explains DS's quirkiness and I was simiarly told I was mad for thinking it about him for so long. Could you take him for an assessment just to rule it out if nothing else?

DS1's trumpet teacher just asked me today if I though he might be mildly dyspraxic. I said that I'd thought so for years but everyone else thinks I'm barmy. He can't clap in time at all - he can hum in time and play music in time, but can't clap!

Meant to say, it has a big effect on writing too - hence your DD's messy writing possibly, my DS's unusual pencil grip and 'spidery' writing.

G&T it could be that your DD is a bit SPDish. My friend's DS is and sound's like your DD, esp the falling off chairs etc . He has proprioception immaturity (as does my DS) and the brushing is the key thing for this. Just to explain briefly: proprioceptive information is received through the muscles and joints and helps a person to be aware of his position in space and the position of body parts in relation to each other. It is necessary in fine postural adjustments which assists in keeping balance and coordinating movements. When it is out of sync children can be a bit 'all over the place', sort of clumsy, possibly sensory seeking, distracted by classroom noise etc, usually bright.

Other things (which you can do at home) are heavy pushing and pulling, being squashed under heavy cushions, snake-like crawling . Trampolines are excellent for proprioceptive input. Have just ordered an 8ft one today. And a therapy ball which is a bit like one of those birthing balls for DS to roll around on!!

BOGOF, I hope this answers your questions too