Think dc might have a problem what next?

[skiwear]

Hi everyone I've name changed for this. I think my eldest might have a problem and was wondering what to do next. I wondered whether it was dyspraxia but think there might be somethign else.

Problems are poor gross motor skills, sports really bad, keeps falling over (I really mean one minute you're walking along next dc is on the floor!), poor fine motor skills has only just decided which hand to use to write with (and went for the one we thought he wouldn't), can't do anything fiddly. Really messy eater. Speach is excellent, although he screams out sometimes. Behaviour wise he is just really 'naughty' fiddles with his siblings, (just runs up and hits them grabs their hands and 'plays' with them etc) disobeys the whole time, has big screaming tantrums if he doesn't get his way. Runs off, drags behind... He wont look at you sometimes but is otherwise really affectionate. I wonder whether it is just bad parenting when it comes to the defiance but that wouldn't explain the falling over.
Was hoping to talk to teacher but she's off sick. I usually work so don't often make it to the school gate, GP is really crap, obviously this has been going on for years so could wait until she's back but is that the best thing to do? We keep thinking it's going to get better but it isn't and the gap between him and his peers is getting more obvious.
Thanks

[discoverlife]

Your GP won't be able to do anything. Go through school or your Health visitor service.

[gemmiegoatlegs]

how old is he? abilities vary wildly at certain ages ie. in a 4/5 year old the sibling interaction seems quite normal

[minorityrules]

Your GP can help, ask to be referred to the paediatrician, tell him what you have said here

The paed can assess for things like dyspraxia (which all you've said could be a possiblity)

Or the paed can refer you on to educational psychologists or physio/occupational therapy

Get him seen by a paed via GP, that is first point of call. If GP is crap, see another in the practise

If he does have a problem (like dyspraxia) you will be able to access help. If not, they can help you with strategies (esp the ed psyche)

[Niecie]

Hi skiwear, I have to say that your DS sounds a lot like mine who was diagnosed with mild AS and dyspraxia. Is that the sort of thing you think might be affecting your DS?

We got the dx after a referral by our HV who got the GP to refer us to the paediatrican. She agreed that he had problems and then he was referred to a speech and language therapist, occupational therapist and a clinical psychologist. The clinical psych. diagnosed DS and he now has a programme of OT and speech therapy with he does at school.

If I were you, I would go back to your GP and insist on a referral to a paed. Lay your thoughts on the line and tell him/her what you think is wrong with DS. If you can get the teacher to write a letter supporting your concerns so much the better.

From experience, I wouldn't rely on the school sorting anything out for you without a dx. A referral to an ed. psych. is not much good as they can't, as I understand, dx Aspergers so the ed. psych will only refer your DS to the paediatrican anyway. The only one I found helpful at school was the school nurse. Has your DS seen her at all? They can do assessments and write to the GP as well, I believe.

If you are really worried don't let it go as getting to see all these professionals takes a long time, in a lot of areas so you need to be prepared to wait and the sooner your DS can see somebody the better, for your peace of mind as much as anything else.

[Geniemum]

I wonder if anyone has something similar to my situation: my daugter is 10 years old and is very bright; has no problems with fine motor skills; no problems academically. She does, however, struggle with the "gross motor skills" - primarily catching and throwing, dance, PE generally. She is pretty uncoordinated in these areas. She is not falling over, does not have a strange walk or anything like that. Do you think there is anything to worry about?

[madamez]

Geniemum: has she had her eyes tested? Because throwing and catching can be tricky if you have an astigmatism or any other mild eyesight problem. Mind you, some bright kids just don't like PE and can't be arsed (I was like that) so there may well be nothing to worry about.