Has anyone's child with dyspraxia successfully learned to ski?

[BoogleMcGroogle]

DS is 7 and has developmental co-ordination disorder and a bit of hypermobility. He is working so hard in his dry slope lessons. His balance and confidence have really come on (I think helped by the fact that he also has horse riding lessons and the eternal enthusiasm of his young teacher). However, while he is now (5 lessons in) able to make a snow plough and control his speed, he cannot manage a turn or work out what his body needs to do to turn and (bless him) falls over quite a lot when using the lift, or negotiating getting about (not skiing) in boots and skis. On the plus side, he loves the lessons (when he's not exhausted), but I'm a little concerned he's going to struggle on the snow (not helped by his ten year old sister, who has learned in a flash). Has anyone encountered this situation with their child before? How did it work out?

Our DS probably has dyspraxia, but nobody will diagnose. He also has joint hypermobility and probable ADHD.
But he seems to have some strengths in skiing and skating - he's held back by his attention though.
We just take things slowly.

Oh and snow is really different (according to DH - I've never tried). So maybe try skating or indoor snow?

I did I struggled on the dry slopes but when skiing on snow found it so much easier. Never been the most elegant skier am slightly over cautious but I can ski and I’m dyslexic and dyspraxic

Yes I wouldn't call DS elegant or competent but he gets the basics and likes it!

DS struggled with snowboard but is an ace skier.

My godson has dyspraxia and is an excellent skier and snowboarder. Dry slopes are hard, snow is much more responsive.

Ds learnt age 4, long before dyspraxia was mentioned, and developed into an excellent skier. He has a slightly unconventional stance though.

Yes!!!! We never thought he would and in Jan 17 were ready to give up, but he has managed it.

However, while he is now (5 lessons in) able to make a snow plough and control his speed,
That is amazing that he has learned so fast. DS has been on skis since he was 3 and is now 9. He was 7 before he really managed to control the snow plough and make some turns.

he cannot manage a turn or work out what his body needs to do to turn and (bless him) If he can snow plough, this will come.

falls over quite a lot when using the lift,
Totally normal

or negotiating getting about (not skiing) in boots and skis.
Make sure they are looser than for skiing but not completely undone so he still has some stability. Honestly, carry the skis for him. He has so much to concentrate on to walk in ski boots, that having to carry skis is overload.

On the plus side, he loves the lessons (when he's not exhausted), but I'm a little concerned he's going to struggle on the snow
Can't advise as mine has only ever been on snow. Be patient.

(not helped by his ten year old sister, who has learned in a flash). In out case it is the younger sister and we have had to at times rein her in. Remind her of his difficulties etc. Don't compare whatsoever. Praise what he can do and how far he has come. Don't ski together. I go with DS because I'm about his level and DH goes with the youngest.

We tend to go together to start off with, on a blue slope, just to make sure DS has got his snow legs. Also because if he needs help, DH is more useful than me. That way we can see the slope, how to get down in and he knows it. Then DH leaves us there and goes off piste/black with youngest. I ski with him and take it at his pace. Then we meet up for hot chocolate/lunch.

Re. the turning. The way DS managed to do it was using the arms. I'll try to explain....hope it makes sense. Keep in snow plough. Hold arms straight out to the sides. Now turn the top of your body from hips so one arm (e.g.right) is pointing forwards and the other (e.g.left) is pointing to the back of your skis. You will automatically do a turn (to the left).

I could t do anything until I was about ten. I mean everything. Ice skating, bike riding, walking. Anything requiring balance and coordination. Not sure if I haddyspraxia (bit too old for the school to have known/cared and my parents had no idea). But now I can ski (and do everything else) eithordibary proficiency. It’s posdobke it will get easier for him once he stops growing. So long as he enjoys it there is no harm in persisting.

DD is uncoordinated but hasn't actually been diagnosed as dyspraxic only because we've never pursued the diagnosis.

She skis quite happily. She's not as good as her younger brother but then she also doesn't take the risks he takes. Right now he can't ski at all because he broke his arm... skiing.

My kids learnt on snow which I think is much easier.

I live in a part of the US where most kids learn to ski whether they are good or bad at it.

Oh, and the main trick with the lift was getting DS to look where he was going, not around him. Once he looks to the side, he would start veering off to the side or cross his skis. If it's a double lift, I take the sticks for him, and constantly remind him to look where he is going, keep his skis straight. If it's a single lift, I go after him and bellow at him to look where he's going and to keep his skis straight.

Thanks so much for these replies. It's lovely to hear such positive stories. foreignessalert your tips are really, really helpful. I think that the arms out to the side trick might well work! in a way it doesn't help that he actually balances quite well going fast, so is more motivated to go down and fast than try anything more precise. I think that with children who are, let's say, neurodiverse, it's sometimes just a case of doing things differently, or having lots of practice so that the body, brain and mind can make friends with the skill altogether. We thought he'd never learn to horseride, but after a bit of practice he's actually very good. I just really hope that we can keep up his enthusiasm and confidence (at least until the end of the holiday!). Whoever suggested we practice on snow, that is a really good idea. I think that I'll trudge them all up to the SnowDome (is it Zone?) at Milton Keynes before we get on real snow.

Yes, and he loves it. You have to give up on perfect technique but its a great sport for them to try as they feel SO free and accomplished when zooming down a run. Try watching youtube videos for tips on turning. Also has he ever pedaled a bike? Try explaining the weight shift needed to turn as like pushing one pedal down on the bike.

I guess it would depend on the severity, how it affects them and how much they’re willing/able to persist with learning.
I haven’t taken my dc skiing yet but they’ve managed to learn to swim, ride a bike and play a sport at a pretty high level so I think they’ll pick it up easier than a non sporty child tbh.

DS is dyspraxic and cannot catch a ball to save his life, but he's an amazing skier. He's way better than DD, who isn't dyspraxic.

He started learning when he was about 7 and really took to it, partly because it is something you do by yourself, and as he has ASD, he HATES team sports.

When they were both little, I did a lot of work with them on the nursery slopes and got them moved from snow plough (which I think is really hard on knees) as quickly as possible. That makes a huge difference as it is far less tiring and means that they do much less standing around too, which is when they get cold.

The snow is easier than a dry slope and if he enjoys it, that's a huge factor.

Bike riding is a whole other story. He eventually learned, after we had to outsource to a professional who specialises in teaching children with disabilities. I think that he struggles to learn motor skills explicitly (do this, then do this), but just has to practise and practise until his body develops some sort of instinct for it. His fine motor skills are pretty weak (handwriting very weak, still struggles to put lego together) but a whole year of OT sessions seem to have really helped his core strength, motor planning and balance. At the time I used to get cross about paying so much money for him to 'just' bounce about on the equipment, and I feel guilty now as it really helped him. We live in hope he'll be a skier yet!

Yes, with no trouble. But in DD’s case, things which require vertical, fairly symmetrical balance and just legs (roller blading, bike riding, skiing) don’t seem to be a problem. Swimming on the other hand 😫

Oh, swimming! The hours of my life I've spent at that pool....

Now DS found football so hard, but rugby not a problem. The problems do vary.

Oh and snow is really different (according to DH - I've never tried). So maybe try skating or indoor snow?

WTF would you suggest skating?

In resort, I would get him some 1-on-1 lessons with an instructor who is used to teaching people who struggle. If you post on snowheads forum they will be able to advise.

To be honest Dyspraxia is such a huge variation from person to person it's not something anyone predict for any one child. My DS can ride a bike, his friend is a long jump champion for our county. My DS can't even attempt to long jump despite hours of coaching and his pal can't ride a bike despite hours of lessons.