Talk to me about dyspraxia please...

[suwoo]

My nephew has been diagnosed with dyspraxia very recently. He is 7 in February and is in year 2. He lives in a small rural town and the school have little to no experience with this or similar diagnoses. He has a 'helper' at school, who also helps a girl with cerebral palsy (IIRC). The school have offered to get him a laptop to work on as he is a whizz on it (Is this right, or should they help him with his writing?) The only knowledge I have of this area, is what I have read on MN, and I would like to help my SIL to help my nephew reach his full potential as he is such a gorgeous boy. Where should she go from here and what does she need to know etc, etc. I would like to refer her to this thread. Many thanks, wise mumsnetters.

[lottiejenkins]

www.dyspraxiafoundation.org.uk/

My son is dyspraxic, i think your nephew is supposed to have a statement of special needs too, do contact the foundation they should give you all the help you need.

[Saker]

The Dyscovery Centre is also a useful source of information. A statement would be helpful but might be hard to get. It sounds good that the school is showing willing as some schools are not understanding. I'm not saying they shouldn't do some work on handwriting also but definitely go for the laptop so that he can express himself fully and is not held up in his learning by struggling to write.

[Saker]

Dyscovery Centre

[suwoo]

Thank you. Bump for any other info.

[Julia76]

Hi, my son has dyspraxia & in my opinion" yes they should be encouraging him to try to improve his handwriting. My son has special handwriting programmes he uses which im sure they should be using with your nephew too, although different areas may do things in a different way. I would also advise your sil to talk to Senco(special needs co-ordinator at his school-all schools have one) & talk about applying to get him statemented if he isnt already. If you would like any other info which may help or any advice(im not a professional) but I do have a son(8) who has dcd.. He shows some signs of dyspraxia & is improving with the help he receives. Your sil may find he would benefit frim physio, occupational thereapy or speech thereaphy as these have helped me son but first he needs to be assessed & so important for Senco to arrange this. My email is [email protected] if you would like to email me. Julia

[lottiejenkins]

Ive looked on the dyscovery site and i see that they want children to volunteer ........ has anyones child done any work with them?

[lottiejenkins]

bump bump bump!!!!!!!!

[Julia76]

no lottiee.. not worked with them & do not know anyone else who has either... Will look on there myself when I get a minute.

[flyingmum]

I would really advise one to one OT therapy. It will cost but will pay dividends in the long run. I really wish we had done this. My son has now had OT for the first time in his life last year (in year 7) and it has made such a difference.

Good luck

[lottiejenkins]

My son has OT every week at school, but was curious to see if anyone had had any experience of dyscovery.

[smartiejake]

One of the ids I work with is verbally dyspraxic (she's also deaf with a cochlear implant)and we set her up in a "gymn trail" group with some other childen in the school who have special needs (concentration/ behavioural/ co-ordination) etc. Helps with co-ordination, social skills and listening skills. Might be worth suggesting this to the school. Lots of schoolsin Essex use this. Not sure where it's from but your school might know about it.