Has anyone had any experience of Dyspraxia?

[josben]

DS1 is nearly 8 and i have wondered if he is dyspraxic since he was in year 1, - i've read a couple of books on it but i wasn't 100% sure so I never refferred him to anyone... Also my DH was quite adament that he didn't want him 'labelled' and that he was probably just a bit clumsy....

We went to parents evening last week and DS1's teacher expressed concerns over his co-ordination and other things lkie his handwriting and difficulties in PE - he said he thought he may be dyspraxic and i asked if DS1 could be reffered to the schools senco...

Anyway - i've not heard anything since - but i was wondering if anyone knew what sort of things could be done to help DS1..? TIA

my brother is dyspraxic (and now a very successful 30-something in a well paid job! lol)
I can't remember what the school did specifically as it was so long ago, but I do know he was allowed to use a laptop during lessons because it was easier for him to type than to write.

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I think I've got this to some extent although like you're DS I've never been labelled. There are certain things in life I'm not good at the problem is they're often the things that are most valued at primary school, such as hand writing and being able to catch. To be honest, one good thing is these things are less important as you get older. And focus on what he is good at. I was good at the fundamentals of maths and english, if you were able to read what i was writing, so my parents never made a big thing out of my hand writing.

I now have an Oxbridge degree and a sucessful career in the City, so it's certainly not done me any long term harm. Although this might seem illiterate as I now have an 8 week old and have had limited sleep.

In the last week, I have started to wonder whether ds1 has it. I am a teacher and am starting to wonder why it has not occurred to me before. In fact, I am googling it right now

I have it, only told this when started my degree last year. (I'm nearly 22)

Dont know much about it either, but have been told it could be linked with my body dismorphia

Dd1 is in the process of being assessed for this.
She is almost 8.
Her teacher agreed with the concerns I have had for a few years, and it was her handwriting that clinched it. She is v bright, so not struggling at school, but cannot manage at PE or swimming, and it is starting to affect her friendships.
She saw our GP who has reffered her to community paeds.

I don't have alot of personal experience but I did have a student recently who was both dyslexic and dyspraxic and I believe it is not unusual for an individual to have both together.

One thing which really helped this student was writing on a sloped surface (angled upwards away from them)

ds has this , has sessions of Occupational Therapy which helps motor coordination, practical skills like handwriting and to strengthen muscles (he's hyperflexible too)

lizs - ds1 is hyperflexible
i am going to nick borrow a slopey bench fronm work to see whether it helps

ds uses a writing slope at school(made by grandad!) and it really helps support his wrist and hand position.

My DS2 has this and actually I think looking back DS1 may have had some mild problems but has ironed out the 'kinks' through incessant sport.

You need to get an OT who specialises inthis area to have a look. they can identify the issues and give you excercises that really do help.
If your DH is worried about labellingthen see womeone privately and don't tell anyone.

We saw a private OT who was brilliant. But I tell anyone. It isn't leprosy.It isn't shameful - and it can really help a child if they understand that they can't do somethings as well as others for a reason, and not just because they are 'crap'

sorry i am hijacking but irt has beenon my mind this week...

"Also my DH was quite adament that he didn't want him 'labelled' and that he was probably just a bit clumsy...."

Heh - common and understandable attitude, but then it always is when you're not the clumsy one. Before I was labeled as dyspraxic, I was just labeled lazy and stupid instead.

I'm always being told that awareness of dyspraxia is where dyslexia used to be - 10 years behind. Later in life, your DS can choose to divulge a diagnosis or not but in the meantime, presumably you want your DS to be at his best, which means taking any help you can get.

For example, my 25% "extra" time in exams so that = 100% of the time I need, so not being given that time would be like taking away 20% of any other student's exam time.

With regard to how to help him, the Dyspraxia Foundation has advice applicable to primary school age children.

I've a 14 year old ds who is dyspraxic.

I'd advise you to get your ds a learn to type disc now, and let him start learning, as he'll most likely use a laptop by secondary school.

A trampoline is good for learning balance whilst having fun, and encourage activities that aren't too sporty, as he may never be as good as his peers in that area.

The Hidden Handicap by Dr Amanda Kirby is full of good tips and the whole book is written in down to earth language rather than like a medical journal, and I found it really helpful when we first were trying to understand dyspraxia.

I was relieved to have a "label" for my ds, as previously I'd felt that his problems were either because he was lazy and not bright, or I was teaching him wrongly. In fact he is very bright, and only as lazy as any other teenager.

hi my ds 8yrs is waiting to be tested for dispraxia type 2 and dislexia he his very bright but struggles in english and reading but cant link letter sounds ,and his thoughts come out back to front but im waiting to find out he also has speech n laung ,and gross delayed motor skills ,.