Dyspraxia? Benefit of diagnosis?

[BettyYeti]

DD finds some things difficult which have (on reading the boards here) made me wonder about dyspraxia, although she by no means has all the traits (have also wondered about retained reflexes which is not something I knew anything about until reading on here). She has just turned 9 (Y4). here are some examples:

1. She cannot tie shoelaces and is not that keen on using cutlery properly
2. She wets the bed sometimes (seems to be linked to deep sleep - we are currently using an alarm which wkaes the rest of us up but not her)
3. She is a messy eater
4. She is chronically disorganised (loses everything, forgets to bring home her homework, forgets to hand in her homework when she does it). She is very relaxed about this - not in the least bit worried about getting into trouble.
5. Poor handwriting and careless with punctuation. Slow at getting ideas down on paper.
6. Not great co-ordination esp hand-eye co-ordination. Not great at sports.
7. Generally very dreamy and laid back
8. Although she learnt to read very quickly (free reader from 1st term of Y1), she has not really progressed in leaps and bounds since them. This seems to be mainly lack of interest apart form the odd book that she loves (such as Tom Gates and Wimpy Kid)
9. She is a slow eater and seems to have a bit of difficulty in chewing meat

10 Can generally look a bit awkward 11 Struggling to learn to play the piano. Cant master the readign the music and 2 hands together, but can memorise and then play ok without looking at the music

On the other hand:

1. She is doing well at school (at an academically selective prep) and is particularly good at maths.
2. Excellent spelling (both in tests and in writing, although some careless mistakes)
3. No difficulty in learning to ride a bike
4. Pretty good swimmer (although noticeably better at crawl than breast stroke)
5. Truly excellent memory for facts and things we have done (eg. she mentioned something in quite a lot of detail that had happened when she was 3.5. I remembered it when she said it

but DH and other DD didin't so it is not something that would have been talked about in the meantime).

School have obviously flagged the handwriting and disorganisation, but not as hugely major issues. Otherwise they have not flagged concerns. SO on the one hand given she is doign well I am not sure there is anything to worry about or any particular help she needs (apart from sorting the bedwetting). I am worried though that she is a bit like a synchronised swimmer with a lot of effort going on below the surface and that it will become more of an issue as she gets older. I think becuase she is bright she has to date been able to compensate but this will become harder/more difficult. We have also been helping her on the organisation side, so I think the extent of the problems are masked from school.

Any thoughts on whether she might be dyspraxic and on what the benefits would be of a diagnosis given that she is doing well in school on most things?

thanks!

It is possible to have a different combinations of traits . The benefits are applying for access arrangements for exams , such as laptop and extra time, learning to touch type, more allowance being made for activities with which they struggle , access to OT via NHS. However it can be an uphill struggle to change attitudes particularly ime at private schools. ds had Learning Support (funded by us) , touch typing lessons and extra time in exams , but school only really started to take it on board after a private EP report and even then some staff seemed sceptical or didn't remember.

Thanks. Will look into getting a report. How did you explain to your DS why he should do this? Was he himself frustrated?

there are no negatives to getting a diagnosis, and only potential benefits, as in extra time in exams, much needed leniency for certain things

Fortunately the issues started to be picked up when he was just 6 so he was used to having help and gradually had become more aware of his difficulties compared to others.

Dx would be helpful like as pp said from the point of view of accessing services eg OT and any extra support. She does sound from my experience like she has some dyspraxic traits. Coordination issues could also be down to generalised poor muscle tone and hypermobility so could be worth exploring that too? Could all be part and parcel of an umbrella dyspraxic dx though.. main thing is to see if you can get paed referral to rule other things out.