Dyspraxia signs in 6yr old - any advice?

[mutantninja]

I've become increasingly concerned about my son's development and have started to wonder if he might be suffering from Dyspraxia, or something related. Interested to know what someone with experience might think of the things I've noticed. Also he was premature, eight weeks early, so has had developmental delays for most of his life, but tends to get there eventually. This is what is causing me concern:

handwriting is way behind his year one peers, some reception children are more advanced.
Struggles with reading but is very verbal.
Clumsy, often knocking over or spilling things.
Will not sit still, constantly getting up, wriggling, moving.
Sometimes doesn't hear/listen/is very absorbed in what he's doing.
Prefers to eat with fingers.
Struggles with getting dressed, doing up buttons.
Eats really slowly.
Is reluctant in competitive sports/games.
Some sensitivity to loud noise - doesn't like shouty parties, party games, noise of hand drier.
School has already flagged up that his fine motor skills are in need of work and we've been doing loads of lego etc.

But, he's a good runner, enjoys playing football and is a sociable child who seems to have no trouble with friendships.

Interested in views.

[Kitty39]

Hi mutantninja, im a young mum who 'suffers' from this condition and I must say that it sounds likely that your son does too.

I'd suggest talking to your son and working with him and his possible condition as best you can. if he is dyspraxic he's going to find ways to cope with it, sometimes the way he copes may seem odd but try to work with him with it.
I'd also say to discuss this with his school, get him as much support and help as possible. You could also see if the school will test him for it, if not take him to the doctors and see what they have to say.

Does your son have any other symptoms? Dislike of certain clothing? I myself dislike tight clothes and socks, maybe your son has a similar issue. He could also have behaviour issues, my sister also has the condition and she's very emotional and gets frustrated easily.

[mutantninja]

Thank you so much for replying and your thoughts. He doesn't seem to have any issues with clothing. I've made an appointment to speak to his teachers this week and see what they think. If it's not too nosey a question, what sort of things help to cope?

[ChocChocPorridge]

My six year old sees an OT once a week - they say he's too young yet to be diagnosed, but he certainly has many markers.

His handwriting is similarly terrible, he's very clumsy and distractible, he's not dry at night yet, and he took a long time to talk and learn to feed himself and had great trouble dressing. He's always been careful at playparks - nervous on slides and swings, low upper body strength (can't do monkey bars), and has never been into art and crafts.

He is a voracious reader though, and now that he does talk, he could talk the hind leg off a donkey.

The OT has been a great help - his writing is improving, he can button shirts himself now, and he's improving his balance and strength. We have some coping strategies around concentration (mainly boils down to heavy work - wearing him out so he can calm down and not fidget), and we just accept that it'll be velcro trainers and slip-ons, that he'll lose his coat unless we have a strict routine about where it's put.

We don't let him get disheartened, and always point out what he's good at, and that not everyone can be good at everything if he gets down about something he finds hard.

School didn't have big concerns - especially since he's a boy, but I preferred to face it head on and help him early rather than wait for it to become a real issue.

[mutantninja]

Thank you, Choc. Lots of what you've said rings true, he's also not dry at night and exactly the same about parks and soft play. He's fine if he can play on things in his own time but not if he feels rushed by other children.

He's also very small for his age, always been on 2nd centile. I'd always put that and his development down to prematurity but now I think there might be more to consider.

Did you get referred for an OT or do that privately?

[mutantninja]

Also, sorry for all the questions, do you explain to him why he finds some things hard and what language do you use?