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Here you'll find advice from parents and teachers on special needs education.

What could it be if DD1 is showing some symptoms of Dyspraxia but not the physical symptoms IYSWIM

52 replies

DevilwearsPrada · 08/06/2008 01:18

Not sure if this is in the right place. As the title says, dd1(5) has been referred by school to an educational psychologist and a paeditrician and a speech expert. So is slow to pick up reading, writing etc. She's coming to the end of reception now. She's always reached her milestones behind what other children do. Her speech is not really up to what a 5 year olds should be (IMO) she can't draw anything apart from squiggles not even stick people.

She's a happy child most of the time and has settled into school well. She tends to stick with the boys rather than play with the girls and has one best (boy) friend. But she doesn't necissarily (sp)understand things which she probably should at her age. She is showing some of the symptoms of dyspraxia -

May be easily distressed and prone to temper tantrums

Persistent language difficulties

Sensitive to sensory stimulation, including high levels of noise, tactile defensiveness, wearing new clothes

Limited response to verbal instruction. May be slow to respond and have problems with comprehension

(Have copied and pasted from dyspraxia website), these are the main symptoms she's showing, also obsessive over certain things done in order, hates routine being broken, constant broken sleep, etc. But she's showing no signs of the physical symptoms (thank god) so I'm confused. She's a very athletic, sports orientated girl, loves anything outdoorsy is excellent with a football. (Proud). On the other hand she can be so sensitive and gets really emotional over random things, she'll have days were she is totally not in the mood for certain people, (i.e me , her nan, her sisters, people in school) never her dad though she adores her dad.

I'm at a bit of a loss TBH, I don't want there to be anything "wrong" with her but I know something isn't quite "right" IYSWIM? Any advice would be much appreciated.

OP posts:
gigglewitch · 08/06/2008 01:30

watching and bumping (back tomorrow i think...)
DS1 is showing heaps of the same signs as your dd, but his verbal language is fantastic. He is at the end of yr2 and has only just made it off reception level reading books. He has done the dyslexia tests - and whilst they still suspect that he's dyslexic we also think it is "something else" as he's had a dairy intolerance all his life which he isn't showing any sign of growing out of, and all the stuff you describe about frustration temper tantrums, over-sensitivity to lights and noise, and utterly inconsistent progress/ learning pattern.
As i'm a teacher with ASD students I've always seen that he is somewhat like them - but can't be on the autistic spectrum as he can visualise and describe abstract situations and is very creative and a good problem solver. Children with ASD have none of these skills, and I know i "know too much" as it were.
Sorry for huge ramble - gist is you're not alone.
off to bed [at blardy last] will pop in tomorrow

DevilwearsPrada · 08/06/2008 01:20

Also meant to add she has excellent concentration and when engrossed in something, (TV, a game or toy) it can be hard to distract her.

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