Dyspraxia - help! (I'm very new to this!)

[abc12345]

Hello, I have just found out my son is probably dyspraxic. He is in reception and has problems at school particularly phonics, writing, socially, concentration. He talks over people, is hard to understand and has a range of sensory issues.

Is there anything that has helped? What should the school be doing? What should I be doing?

I want to get him the help he needs now so he doesn't get any further behind

[mutantninja]

I'm also new to this, so hopefully someone with more advice will come on soon but I suspect my son, Year 1, is dyspraxic too. I had a meeting with his teachers this morning and they said the first step is the GP. I also got advice from our previous paediatrician (my son was premature so we were outpatients for a year) and he said that the GP will refer to the local community paediatricians for assessments. From what I understand, the earlier they can get support the better.

[abc12345]

I had him referred to the community paed 6 months ago and apparently the waiting list is a year! It's just not good enough. He will be so far behind by then

[Lauder123]

Where did you get the diagnosis? My son has all the traits of dyspraxia and EP and or have mentioned to me but paediatrician will not diagnose it.

[mutantninja]

Today I went direct to a local occupational therapist and have an assessment booked in next week. They are already in touch with the school and will create a report for when we eventually see the paediatrician. It's expensive but I thought I'd share that in case its an option you haven't explored. Only a paediatrician can diagnose but they can use the information you find.

[abc12345]

Like you I am waiting formal diagnosis but the SALT think he is dispraxic and have recommended an assessment. I'm waiting for all the other appointments.
In the mean time I was really hoping that someone might have some advice about what helped their child...
How can I help him talk? Read? Or write? Or ride a bike?
Did anything work for you??

[Lauder123]

There are some ideas on the Dyspraxia foundation website. My ds is 7 and has struggled since a young age. He cannot swim yet but is getting there very slowly. His swimming teacher says Dyspraxic children often find breast stroke easier but has not helped us. We are no where close to riding a bike yet. In reception he found phonics and reading hard. I did a lot of work with him at home and it was not until I persuaded his teacher to try read write ink with him that he improved at all and this was in year 1. He is now above age related in reading and phonics. Mathematical concepts are a problem as is writing. We have trialled a number of pencil grips, writing slopes and none really have been great. His writing is immature and large. We use Apples and Pears workbooks at home. He also started to go to gymnastics last year - he finds this very difficult but ot and physio said it would help him understand how his body worked and I do think it helps. I also pay for monthly OT (we have had a terrible time with the NHS ot) he does set exercises every evening. It is slow but we are starting to see some results.

[abc12345]

Thank you for your response.

Can you tell me more about read write ink please?

Does anyone have any experience of AIT or retained reflex therapy/neurodevelopment? Did it help? Or not?

[Lauder123]

Lots of school use this method to teach reading but mine didn't it is often better for struggling readers. My DS took to it straight away. Have a look on line for reviews read write inc. I think we got a parent tutorial book and ordered some from Amazon that we used at home. Whereabouts are you based - do you have a good or service?

[Lauder123]

That should have said OT service!

[abc12345]

Thanks.
I'm in bucks, I can't seem to get the school ot to see us (despite gp referral).
I have taken him for 1h for a private OT who flagged up his problems and gave us some good recommendations of things that might help whilst waiting for paed appt. it just seems like the NHS services just can't cope around here, every service is overstretched and v long waiting lists (1 year for community paed!!!)

[elliejjtiny]

I have dyspraxia. Finally diagnosed officially aged 20 having struggled since your son's age. My info on schools etc is way out of date now but with swimming, bike riding etc practice is the thing that helped me most and lots of it. I forget things like that really easily too and have to learn all over again if I don't do it for a while.