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Unsure if my son might have dyspraxia or similar?

13 replies

SurferRosa · 09/07/2007 17:00

Very unsure really, but in need of some reassurance if anyone can offer any...

He is just four. He is very 'bright' or so people say, his language has always been excellent, he is interested in how things work, makes lots of 'inventions' etc.

The things he has trouble with are

  1. being very energetic, in terms of running around the house, being rough and forceful with me/brother/cat, and very frequently, he will tread on things, knock over drinks, crash into stuff...I mean, our house is messy but it feels like he is breaking something or hurting himself every few minutes atm.

  2. Staying still - the preschool he was at till a couple of weeks ago, had continuing problems with him over this - he would not, could not sit still and listen with the other children...he was always racing around, or asking questions to the teacher regardless of her talking to the class, and he never lets me talk to anyone IRL or on the phone, without constantly talking and badgering all involved - my friends have had to get quite sharp with him about it, as well as me!

  3. He doesn't really draw - some messy painting but nothing very figurative like faces or animal shapes etc. - and when he tries to write, the letters are usually backwards.
    However he is superb at lateral thinking in this respect - he was following some white lines on the road last week and said, Mummy, that's an 'L' isn't it? (It was a very long dashed line which defined a parking space, yes, it was L-shaped but it surprised me that he could see that)

    Do these things add up to anything recognisable? I just hate the fact I'm constantly saying 'OH DS, ...NOO!!! STOP! That was really stupid!' Because it is horrible, but if I say nothing, the whole house will be trashed within an hour...

    Poor DS.

    TIA for any suggestions...I imagine maybe it's just normal 4yr old behaviour...?
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SurferRosa · 09/07/2007 17:05

Forgot to say, his father I believe was Dyslexic. I don't know if the two are related, or if either is genetically passed on?

I just want to know how best to help him and criticising his actions a lot certainly isn't...

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SurferRosa · 09/07/2007 17:09

Sorry! Also looking at a website about it, somethings familiar - he cannot seem to coordinat riding a trike/bike, but he was an early walker (10 months) and talks really well.

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Phraedd · 09/07/2007 17:45

doesn't sound like dyspraxia to me. Have you spoken to your HV about his behaviour?

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Reallytired · 09/07/2007 17:46

He really sounds quite normal and lovely. I think that we as a society have unreasonable expectation of four year old little boys.

Most reception teachers are very good with little boys. The pen control will come. Maybe you should enrol him in a gymnastics class to get rid of the excess energy.

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LIZS · 09/07/2007 17:57

Don't think there is much to indicate it tbh , apart from riding trike/bike, which could simply be an interest or developmental issue, and being a bit clumsy, or perhaps he is just a bit careless and excitable ?

Does he start school soon? I think you'll find a lot of your concerns (like letter reversals which are common initially anyway) will either resolve themselves in that first year or so or continue to be an issue beyond the general expectations in which case a teacher should pick it up.

Our ds who is borderline dyspraxic had no preschool interest in drawing, crafts or messy play and still can't really ride a bike at 9.

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chopster · 09/07/2007 18:00

I'd get it checked out to put your mind at rest at least. It is fairly normal, but could be something else.
ds1 has hypermobility and exhibits a lot of what you are saying, plus other problems too, and is also suspected of dyspraxia.

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ELR · 09/07/2007 18:05

dyspraxia often affects speech your ds does not seem to struggle with that just sounds normal to me, left and right coordination can also be affected

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SurferRosa · 09/07/2007 18:34

Thankyou all for your advice, I'll have a word with the HV and see what she says...I'm glad to know it doesn't all sound bad...perhaps just trying to make myself feel less guilty as if he had something wrong, I would feel more justified in feeling so desperate with him at times

That sounds awful, sorry, I'm not wishing him to have special needs. Just admitting my own shortness of tolerance atm...

Thanks again x

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AttilaTheMeerkat · 10/07/2007 14:02

I would suggest you ask your GP for a referral to a developmental paediatrician. HVs are not always au fait with such matters.

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stealthsquiggle · 10/07/2007 14:10

Your DS does sound a lot like a little boy I know who does have dyspraxia (just diagnosed at 5) - you say he talks lots, but is he hard for non-family to understand?

Even if he does have dyspraxia, it may not be the right time to intervene, IYSWIM. In the case I am thinking of, the school (who have been v. proactive) did say that there would have been no point in doing anything earlier as it is only at reception age that the differences (the brain running far enough ahead of the body to cause frustration) really show. On the other hand it is definitely worth asking for a referral if only for your own peace of mind.

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chocolateteapot · 10/07/2007 14:23

I was going to say that as Lizs said, there isn't much there to indicate it. But listening to you it sounds like you do feel there might well be and actually I think you should go with your gut feeling, it is easy to shrug stuff of as normal 4 year old behaviour.

Has there been anything else in the past that looking back you think, oh actually, that wasn't quite right ? Eg. difficulty with eating lumpy food, took ages to learn to jump, pedal a trike, difficulties getting himself dressed ?

I personally do feel that the earlier dyspraxia is diagnosed the better, there is a lot that can be done to make life easier.

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orangegerbera · 12/10/2007 01:21

I have two boys 5 and 7 and one overgrown one!
They all exhibit ALL of the behaviours you have listed. So, if you do find it's indicative of something other than testosterone coursing through their bodies please let me know! i am not trying to be dismissive by the way, but boys can be like aliens and hard work!

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milliec · 21/10/2007 17:27

Message withdrawn

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