Dyspraxia - what helps your DC?

[Globetrote]

If you or your DC have Dyspraxia can I ask what helps please? DS(9) y5 has had an initial EP observation and she thinks he has mild dyspraxia (waiting for formal assessment).

He has the following issues:

-Spelling, grammar and writing all well below age expectations
-Handwriting very messy and poorly formed letters and numbers
-Could be described as a bit clumsy but nothing significant

Reading and all other academic subjects are at normal achievement levels.

School are very supportive and the scaffolding support in class is helping. I was wondering about things like learning to touch type and having a laptop.

Also, if your DC have gone through secondary school did they get much support at all? I have heard that unless you have an EHCP at secondary then you’re pretty much left to it (which worries us). I can’t see a tutor for an hour week being enough somehow.

This is my son, same age - ADHD diagnosis, reading fine, excellent at maths, but the dyspraxia is more of a worry right now with school, avoiding writing, getting bullied in sports - just wanted to bump and say you’re not alone.

Ds has dyspraxic markers but has been assessed twice and doesn't meet thresholds. He does also have adhd. He is 13 now.

Typing typing typing. Get him.doing it now. We didn't push it hard enough and he's very resistant to learning now because he feels it makes him look odd. Get him doing it now so that even if he isn't doing it in school, he can do it for homework at school (our school allows children identified as SEN to use keyboard for most subjects, for most homework etc).

Find a sport hr actually likes and get him doing it regularly. Find an wntey level, supportive group or class and sign him up. We were c lucky thay ds had a general sports group for years then started playing basketball. He was TERRIBLE at first but he loved it, practised at home and we had a very supportive club. He still plays for school. More importantly, he had mastered more general skills and can take part in way more sports to at least some degree. We also got him a football net (St his request) and he spent a lot.of of time practising at home in private so he would be better when playing at school.

To this end, let him tey other sports - we had a few we signed up to as summer camps.for a day or two at a time etx. Juat to up his skills a bit and build confidence.

And to add, as advised by the school (that expelled him at year 4 simply for having ADHD on record, despite having him quite happily for the previous years and no problematic behaviour) we have private Occupational Therapy sessions every week.

I can’t say if it was a scam or not, the school referred to the therapy team, and I can’t quite get myself to cancel it (what cost helping your child, right?) - it hasn’t done him any harm, I just can’t categorically say if it has done him good. His handwriting (which was my main concern) has not changed. So I can’t really recommend an OT but your experience may be different. I’m not in the UK though.

Hi OP,
I really agree with the poster who recommended helping your child find a sport to enjoy. Outside interests really help boost confidence and provide so many opportunities for healthy socialising.
The academic nature of secondary schools driven by central government of course, means many children struggle. The more you can do to promote his confidence and resilience the better.

I'm probs dyspraxic. I have no problem with reading or writing or maths but my handwriting is abysmal. I found a music book was useful in tidying up my handwriting as the extra lines can help form the letters. Funnily enough I was reasonably good at sports but did have a habit of tripping over my hockey stick.

My main problems are doing anything that needs to use both hands as they never agree on what they're doing. The worst thing is walls and lampposts leaping out at me. I was always a clumsy child one teacher told my dad my brain worked so fast my hands couldn't keep up

I will tell you about my experiences at school

i myself has Dyspraxia also deaf ADHD and autism

when I was at school my writing and drawing skills was little bit messy and sometimes was hard to understand and I was given this special drawing writing sloping table at school and it help me and it improved my writing and drawing skills etc but sometimes I has trouble with my spelling especially long words etc

the other symptoms of dyspraxia is their lack of balance co coordination which I can be clumsy sometimes that I would fall over that sometimes I can’t stop myself falling or hold before I fall but it not that easy and I had lots of help from physio and occupational therapy at school when I was little and they helped me so much I still in contact with my lovely friend Steve who helped me as he is the occupational therapist man he did fantastic job mum and I are still in contact with him and he has been part of my life and he did fantastic to help me to manage my problems with dyspraxia too.

And also when i was doing my level 2 and level 3 BSL courses online on zoom i had extra times and supports as reasonable adjustments which has helped me and i was able to pass my level 2 and level 3 signing BSL

My ds has a diagnosis of dyspraxia. His biggest issue was disorganisation. He found Primary ok as everything was just right there but Secondary began as a nightmare. He found the various classes, the different books and stuff he needed nearly impossible to stay on top of. College returned to being easier as it was only the laptop.
One thing that stood out was his difficult to see where his things were. So he would go into his room looking for his school jumper. It would be right there but he wouldn't spot it. The OT said he couldn't see the wood for the trees..couldn't see detail. Its amazing how disabling that is and a parent/ teacher awareness is vital as you can think he just couldn't be bothered finding it.
He is good at sport and loves sports. Has unreal handwriting..like the worst doctor but is extremely bright. Its his executive functioning that was most affected but as he matured he began to put things in place for himself to offset his difficulties. Patience is your friend and you need to support him in little ways but strive to make him independent. Ds has a great job in technology now, amazing friends and is great. Secondary was a nightmare. Now things are easier.