I have always been aware that DS1 was a bit of a late developer physically - fairly late walking, VERY cautious with play apparatus and climbing, etc. We attended some OH and physio sessions a couple of years ago (on the advice of nursery, because he was not climbing or balancing very well) for a while but they didn't really help and the patronising woman in charge of our case talked REALLY SLOWLY AND REALLY LOUDLY to DS1. So we stopped going. They had already said that there was nothing fundamentally physically wrong... So after a bit of research into dyspraxia etc. we decided that we'd rather just focus on the positives (he is very good at reading and loves writing and drawing) and give him all the opportunities for physical activity, plenty of encouragement, support, coaching, etc. and let him work it out in his own time. They're all better at some things than others, aren't they? He's 5 and a half now, and he loves running and seems to have bags of energy, but he still is not very good going up or down stairs, can't really catch or kick a ball, is terrified of going on his scooter, avoids the climbing frame at school and just can't (or won't?) jump. He seems to keep his legs very straight, even when jumping from a standstill. Prompted to post this because we just spent an hour tonight coaxing him to jump the two stairs on our landing outside our bathroom. This was his idea and he really wanted to do it, we weren't forcing him against his will. He was pep-talking himself the whole time, pretending he was in the Olympics and stuff... I tried offering practical advice, support, waiting and watching quietly, telling him how proud I was of him for trying, but he just got himself more and more worked up and eventually turned to me, his little face all panicky and desperate, and said, "this is my 'terrible thing', mum, but I just have to make myself do it, don't I?" 'Terrible thing' - I had to fight back tears. I don't know whether it's physical or more of a mental/confidence thing. But it's becoming more of an issue now as his 3-yr-old sister is a bit of a daredevil and will jump from any height with glee. She has to be physically restrained. We've tried to downplay it over the last few years (maybe a mistake?), so as not to make an issue out of it and give him a complex, but now he's getting bothered about it himself. He is one of 5 in Reception (60 kids) who get some extra support at school, but beyond asking for our permission to let him skip assembly to do this school have not raised it as an issue (although I flagged at the beginning of the year that he might need a bit of help with confidence in PE). What can we do? Anybody else had this or similar? Will he grow out of it or should I go back down the physio route? (Sorry for long post, by the way, it's been building up in my head...)