DCD/ASPERGERIAS

[fedup2full]

Hi, my1st son who is now 11yrs was dx with DCD when he was 4/5yrs, they thought he had DISPRAXIA, but OT confirmed it was DCD due to him being very bright, but no motor skills. He's always had anger outbursts where he would harm himself, but as he's getting older its getting worse, I also feel he has ASPERGIAS he's so classic to the condition. But was wondering if this was part of DCD.
i also have 2nd son who has anger issues, and they r awful. the two of them feed each other and our house is like a war zone.
Any elses child/children have this problems.

[Ben10isthespawnofthedevil]

My DS who is nearly 6 has DCD/dyspraxia and sensory modulation problems and is currently being assessed for aspergers. We don't worry for his safety but we have the outbursts, social problems, lack of eye contact, needing routine etc etc. He is an only child so we don't have the same problem with children fighting - in fact as he doesn't have any friends, we hardly ever have any other children in the house.

[IndigoBell]

FedUp - DCD is just another name for dyspraxia.

Dyspraxia and Aspergers are very similar. There are a lot of people who believe they're caused / improved by the same things.......

Most kids get a dx of one or the other, but often actually have both conditions.

Anyway, yes. My DS1 has a dx of Aspergers, though he clearly also has dyspraxia, and my DS2 is presenting very similar to him...... And I can't leave them alone together for very long...

[EllenJaneisnotmyname]

Fedup, as said above, DCD is only very subtly different from dyspraxia and most paeds and OTs wouldn't distinguish between them as the symptoms are virtually identical. DCD is often used as an umbrella term to include dyspraxia but can as often be used interchangeably. There is much more knowledge and support of dyspraxia as a term and as a DX and it may be beneficial to look at the Dyspraxia Foundation website here for their take on the subject. A lot of the symptoms are very similar to Aspergers or HFA and one often goes hand in hand with the other.

My DS has high functioning ASD and is very dyspraxic. The child I support has Dyspraxia/DCD and an HFA/Aspergers DX.

Does your DS get support at school? It could be that as he is getting older the delay in his social skills is becoming more noticeable and hence your problems. Does he have a Statement of SEN? I assume he's approaching transition to secondary school which is a huge change in routine for all children, but can be especially tricky for those on the autism spectrum.

I don't like the sound of the self harm. It's not in my experience but it sounds like something you should be seeking help for, counselling etc. Sorry if not much help but others on here have more knowledge.

[janetsplanet]

i have a 12yr old DD and 7yr old DD.
DD1 has DCD, DD2 has dyspraxia and is being assessed for ASD. like your house, mine is a battleground when they both start. they scream, hit, swear (DD2), slam doors etc and god knows what the neighbours think

[fedup2full]

thank you all for taking the time to help me.
my s1, was dx by the OT, and he also went to sessions with the OT and 3 other children, it did help him alot, but when stopped and OT conntact sort of continued but then she left, and so were we. our house is like Janetsplanet.
the selfharm i mentioned is when he goes on one he headbutts- walls,floors,doors,sofa, anything firm if non around he will hit himself.
both boys are fine at school no outbursts, but change upsets s1 very badly, they save everything for home. school have been very good and he has thrived, he has a best friend, but he is a young yr6 pupil. but he does not come to visit. he gets on better with younger or older people. very worried about his change to secondary school.
counciling was tryed but failed, the man said in his 25yrs of work, he never met a child he could not connect to.
trying another route to get help, which i think will fail, but the only opertunitie we have.

[TheDuckster]

The fact that your DS is OK at school but not at home is typical AS. They can actually be so stressed by the day at school that they have to find some form of release when they get home. This is one of the main problems when trying to get help at school because they see the 'good' side and not the issues that you see.

Ideally a child with AS will withdraw to a quiet place (usually a bedroom) when they finish the school day. I used to hate it when my DD did this - I couldn't understand why she locked herslef away after school. I now realise she had to do this to 'recover'. I didn't help by trying to persuade her to 'come out and play'. She eventually left school and was home-educated - that improved things alot.

You really need to try to get things resolved before secondary school because that is when things can really get difficult - you may find some of the 'bad' behaviour transfers to school.

Please try to get your DS assessed for AS. If he does get a DX you really need to press for proper provisions, ideally by a SEN statement.

Good luck

[fedup2full]

Duckster, thank u so much, that is actuly like my son, the simularities are spot on. i'm trying to get help but all a bit unhelpful.
does ur dd have like paddy episodes, uncontrolable rage and little tantrums.
but thank u again. someone who understands. xx

[TheDuckster]

DD didn't have too much rage/tantrums at that age - mainly because she was being home-educated so had far less stress. She returned to school for a couple of years and the stress returned so we took her out again.

Put simply I think that a lot of time is wasted trying to 'solve' the symptoms (anger, tantrums etc) when in fact the problem is always stress. Remove the stress and the anger/tantrums will stop or at least reduce.

Of course that is far, far easier said than done because those with AS find almost everything stressful - except:

i) being in a quiet room alone
ii) being on the computer
iii) reading

in short - solitary pursuits.

On one level I find this quite sad - I don't like to think of my DD being alone - on another level I know it is when she is the least stressed she ever is and is at her happiest.

My DD is much older now (22) and at university. She still prefers to spend time alone.

[fedup2full]

it's so hard at the moment, due to his hormones that we have lost track of whats dcd/as and him being a stroopy so an so.
he loves his own company but will sit with u and sort of chat, him and his brother are constently fighting verbal and physical, and its very draining.