I think my son might be dyspraxic - any experience please?

[Miloarmadillo1]

I have been tearing my hair out over my middle child, 5 yr old boy. He seems incapable of following simple instructions or completing the simple routines that we do every single day (getting up, dressed and out the door in the morning, bath and bedtime). We've just had parent consultations for yr1, his teacher says he is bright and knowledgeable but can't get it down on paper. His handwriting is completely illegible and he struggles with pencil control - I have seen the work on display for his class and he is miles behind. He is in-coordinated and falls often, every day we get a note home from school about some bump or other. We used to go to a preschool gym class which he enjoyed but was hopeless at. He has stagnated in swimming lessons for ages, despite taking him weekly since he was a baby he still can't swim. He can ride a bike without stabilisers, but he was very slow to learn on his balance bike and on a micro-scooter (to the point where slowly I lost the will to live before he finally got it) He reads very well for his age, I don't think he has any language difficulties and he's very sociable with lots of friends.

Does this sound like dyspraxia to anyone with experience? Any suggestions on whether I should pursue a diagnosis if so, or just try to help with the areas he's finding difficult? Any good resources for handwriting/fine motor skills in particular? What about routines?

Have a look at sensory processing disorder. Has he been referred to an OT?
This should be your first step. Don't know about your area but waiting lists are usually quite long.

My little one has ADHD and I am waiting for a referal for dysgraphia.

It sounds a lot like my DS2 at that age and yes, he is Dyspraxic. Have a look at the Dyspraxia Foundation's symptom checker and see what you think. The route I went down for a diagnosis (this was some years ago) was GP to Occupational Therapist to Paediatrician. And in our case the diagnosis really did help - a) for DS2's self-esteem (suddenly none of his issues were his "fault" - there was a clear reason for them) and b) for opening the doors to get help.

And there is a lot of help out there so don't despair - my DS2 was taught to touchtype when he was about 9, and with the use of a laptop at school has done very well (he's now doing A Levels). He still can't tie his shoelaces or ride a bike, his handwriting is still illegible, he's still able to fall over nothing, but he's doing well regardless.

My son has dyspraxia and the things you mention could be it (but equally could not be). We were referred to the paediatrician via GP on nursery and then schools request. The consultant ruled out any other medical causes and refered to OT and physiotherapy assessments. DS has quite clear difficulties and the label helps me to communicate what these are in short hand and has enabled him to access extra support services so it is useful. Have you spoken to the teacher or SENCO about this? Have you noticed these difficulties for a long time or just recently?
Handwriting isn't just about motor skills I gather, so the OT ideas of a writing slope and special pencils (Google twist and turn pencils) aren't a magic fix. Often dyspraxic children need a more holistic approach to help them understand what the symbols really mean and the concept of language. I'm trying to find a specialist tutor to help with this.
With activities the key is to break everything down into very small chunks as the problem is coordinating multiple movements or instructions. Mental or physical checklists are helpful e.g we have 3 things we do when we go to the loo 1. Wipe yourself 2.flush the loo 3. Wash your hands. My son found this helpful. He would still forget to do all 3 sometimes but if we asked if he had done then then he could check things off his fingers and work it out himself which was better than us nagging etc. He is now learning about sorting his clothes for the next day with a similar checklist/breakdown of tasks.

Oh yes - the instructions thing - it took me ages for the penny to drop. So I was saying "Can you get your shoes on, pick up your lunch box, find your coat?" and DS2 was just overloaded with it. Eventually I worked out I had to build in the time to say "can you get your shoes on?", wait till that was done and then move on to the lunch box, and so on. Even now, at 17, that's pretty much what has to happen (although now of course it's a case of just building in time for him to think of it all himself) - he's a lot better, but having to process too many instructions at once does still baffle him.

Hassled you are describing my son, too! Dyslexic as well as dyspraxic, but not diagnosed until he was 16, so good on OP for working on this now.
My DS is still a clumsy lad man, but can cycle, windsurf, and drives a lorry for a living - he just doesn't do paperwork or remembering. Routines, lists, and 'one thing at a time' are useful skills to teach him for how to cope with life.

Thanks to everyone who replied. It sounds like we may be on the right track. I will start recording things and try breaking it into smaller steps. I'll also have a chat with us teacher as she is expressing concerns but has not raised that particular 'label'.

Just recently met with my best friendwho has been didiagnosed with dyspraxia as an adult. CoConversation came up as she couldn't follow directions to my house. I wouldn't see her as clumsy but I do recall once bringing her to my aerobics class and pmsl as she couldn't follow the moves. At all.
It was her lecturer who recommended testing.
If it's any consolation she achieved 81% in neuro science in her psychology degree.
She said she cant tell left from right and her brain juat goes to fuzz when taking directions for e.g.