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

Social side of dyspraxia

30 replies

BongeddyBong · 28/05/2010 18:19

Ds has had an up and down relationship with diagnosis of dyspraxia. Initially the paed said he was dyspraxic, then said he wasn't, but couldn't really say and referred to physio. Physio has said bit early to tell at five.

Gross motor ok, runs a bit slowly but compensates with elbows. Fine motor good (builds intricate lego models), reading well and writing big and messy but can construct good sentences / write short books.

Anyway it's all a bit hard to tell.

My issue is the social side. He can be moody, where often other children are sunny. He hates noise and chaos and prefers structured activities.

I don't now how forgiving I should be of his quirks or if I am employing the best tactics. I want to make sure I am not making things worse.

So if you have a dyspraxic child please could you let me know what they are like socially, if they face extra challenges and how you deal with it. thanks

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BongeddyBong · 28/05/2010 19:09

He is due to see an OT in July.

Do your ds' friends' parents know about the dyspraxia castles?

I haven't mentioned it to anyone at school (I don't want people to move further away from him and as most of the time he is fine and happy) but then I think his moodiness and being upset could be a bit strange for some people.

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castlesintheair · 28/05/2010 19:00

My DS (8) is mildly dyspraxic. He has problems with social integration at school (only) because he might not 'get' the game quickly enough and he can be quite rigid about what he likes to do at playtime and then gets upset with the other boys.

It is something I am constantly 'working' on with him. He also knows his own limitations so is very reluctant to do extra curricular sport because he knows he struggles with it but it would actually benefit him. A vicious circle really.

I am going to spend half-term thinking up new games and ideas for him to play at school. The other boys are bored of his current one. It's hard work - you just have to keep helping them.

Has your DS seen at OT? The one my DS saw helped enormously. Especially helped with the hand-writing: he's recognised as having the best in his class now (of 32)!

BongeddyBong · 28/05/2010 18:59

Thanks that all fits ds.

How old is your ds?, basically I take ds to park every night after school and am constantly dealing with things whereas other children just run around and play happily.

Do you do children's parties?, and what do you do differently?

Thanks really appreciate it.

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LynetteScavo · 28/05/2010 18:53

I don't have a dyspraxic child, but I do have one who can be moody, hates noise and chaos, and prefers structured activities.

Parenting a child like this isn't easy, as you'll know.

I suspect it isn't the dyspraxia which is giving your DS these problems (although what do I know!), but something else. In my DS's case, he has difficulty with sensory processing, and is "sensory sensitive" (basically he's over sensitive to noise, bright lights, crowds, etc) Might be worth looking into this for your DS.

BongeddyBong · 28/05/2010 18:44

bump

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