How do you get a DX of dyspraxia?

[alison222]

i have a friend in Cornwall who is getting the run around at the moment.
Her DS is 10. He ticks practically all the boxes when you look at the descriptions of dyspraxia.
School think he is. They have not had anyone in to see him. The GP says things must be initiated by the school.
So far he is seeing someone from CAHMS for anxiety and OCT type behaviours but that is all. They school are fobbing her off re the Ed Psych and keep "forgetting" to fill in the form to ask for the OT to visit.
She is worried as she has been told that the rules are changing in Cornwall next month and then there will be no money to get an OT in to see her DS.

Who knows how the Cornish system works?
To me it sounds like a lot of bull.
I personally would advise her to request assessment for a statement in the hope that the school would then pull out the stops and get the assessments but not sure if it would work there.

[LIZS]

OT is an NHS resource and gp should refer to paediatrician for initial assessment.

[mrslaughan]

I could be wrong, but I don't think Ed Psyche can Diagnose dyspraxia. DS diagnosis was via combined result by a specialist physio and OT. Could they go privately? I was going to say as those 2 assessments weren't to bad cost wise - and then realised, that actually it was a little over 1000 quid (that is in London though).....surely the GP could refer to OT and developemental physio (if thats what they are called)

[mrslaughan]

oh good - LIZS seems to know how system works

[auntevil]

Dyspraxia is dxed in the absence of any other neurological conditions that might affect co-ordination. Realistically you need a paediatrician to dx - but with report from OT/Physio to confirm.
The best test to ask for - but not available in all NHS areas - is the SIPT (Sensory Integration and Praxis Test). This is one of the most comprehensive tests, consequently offers the most tailored programme of help with the results.
OT can give a programme of exercises to help - that might include some that the school could put in place too.

[mrslaughan]

The SIPT test is the one DS had - then from that his program was tailored.

[porridgelover]

Diagnosis of Dyspraxia is 3 pronged IME.

1. Medical check by Paed to exclude any neurological/metabolic issues that could present with movement problems.
   
2. Assessment by a Psychologist (can be Educational but I find Clinical Psychologists have a wider view of the range of difficulties that arise.). The Psychologist assessment would usually (again IME) show a significant discrepancy between performance IQ and verbal IQ (the latter being higher). The child should also have an IQ in the average range (as some movement problems can be associated with general learning disabilities...broad generalisation there)
   
   
3. The OT would do standardised assessments of movements. Something like the Movement ABC. Which should show a significant difference to the child's peer age group.
   The SIPT is often used but as it requires advanced training in Sensory Integration, not every OT can administer it.
   
   At age 10, I should think the GP should be referring on to the Paedx at least to check the child out. Ideally, the Paedx would have a team to refer to for the other bits.

[alison222]

Thank you all - I will try and get her to go back to her GP again.

[alison222]

I just wanted to update and thank you all for the information.
Friend got GP to refer after " 40 mins of bulling and nagging" and showing him a copy of what you had all said about Diagnosis that I had cut and pasted in to an e-mail.