Advice needed on what to expect from classroom observation please

[katie3677]

Not quite sure if this is the right place to post but can anyone offer any advice.
DS is 5 and started school last September. He had attention problems before starting school and glue ear was diagnosed, but cleared up before he started school in September.
He is still having concentration problems so they have asked my permission to get advice from a professional. Professional advised stuff such as a special cushion to stop him from fiddling in his chair previously, which has helped him sit still, and they are now going to ask her to come and observe him in the classroom. Other issues that they have told me of include difficulty with large motor skills, not able to hold his hands above his head etc, clumsiness, tripping out of his shoes (so we have bought him boots to try to help him keep them on).
What sort of thing will this professional be looking for? Does anyone have any experience of similar?

Sounds like they are thinkig of dyspraxia and possible sensory issues (ie the flexible cushion compensates his natural need to fidget). Is the noise and bustle of shcool a distraction or stress ? Such early intervention is good, to avoid him falling behind and losing confidence, and they may decide to refer to an Occupational Therapist for further assessment of his needs and for recommendations of physical exercises and adjustments (ie pencil grips and supports)to help. hth

Liz, thanks very much. I assumed they were probably looking for signs of either dyspraxia or dyslexia. Dyslexia is a huge possiblity as most of DH's family have it quite severely. Need to do some more research into dyspraxia and also sensory issues in that case.
Thanks again.

lizs has summed it up perfectly - nice one

Just to add that it might be recommended that your ds also sees Ed Psych / physio / OT etc to further clarify what his needs are and how the school should go about meeting them, and as Liz says whether he needs additional resources or some additional staff support. All to the good, imho

hi This site may help as a starting point. It can also have an impact socially so if the observation includes some free play time that may be an opportunity to observe, or not. ds is dyspraxic and definitely struggles socially. As I understand it Dyslexic characteristics can overlap with Dyspraxia and also the Autistic spectrum (without being diagnosed as either) but Dyslexia itself is unlikely to be diagnosed until 7+.

my experience is the same, ds1 was only definitively dx with dyslexia at almost 8 despite the fact that we all knew well what his difficulties were from being 2yo. Massive overlap with ASD style traits from all of these, it takes a good specialist to unmuddle the spaghetti which is these difficulties. The thing is, your ds will be treated as an individual and his difficulties will be addressed regardless of if/what label comes with it. The professionals are likely to meet with you as well as your observations are the most important part of fitting their jigsaw together.

Liz, I have had a look at the site and don't think that I could actually tick more than 3 of those symptoms, so my intuition is that dyspraxia isn't it. Very glad that they are looking into it so early though, but hoping that actually they are just being over cautious.
Thanks for all your advice

would [http://www.preschools4all.com/gross-motor-activities-for-preschoolers.html this]] help you work with him at home?
I've also found the BDA site very handy!

bollocks

meant this

Brilliant, thanks

sounds like a very good school - best of luck.