Developmental Coordination Disorder

[IndigoBell]

Following on from my thread about not wanting school to take DS2 ice skating - today I managed to get DS2 a diagnosis of DCD (Developmental Coordination Disorder - more commonly known as Dyspraxia)

I'm really thrilled. After telling school for the last 3 years that he has problems, and them not believing me, I'm really happy to find out what his problems are and what I need to do to help him (and also what school needs to do to help him).

(School thought his problems were 'learnt behaviours' that he'd learned by copying DS1 :( )

So that is 3 schools, 3 SENCOs, 5 teachers, and at least 5 TAs who didn't notice. It really is shocking how little teachers know - how badly they are let down by their teacher training course.

So, as always, unfortunately I have to conclude - if you have concerns about your child, you can't trust school to help you :(

Fortunately Dr Madeleine Portwood is a senior specialist EP for my LA so high quality DCD training/support has been available for many years. We routinely use her assessments in nursery and reception for early identification and intervention.

I'm fairly sure ds has this. Four schools later, the current one have spotted a problem and have referred him to the community paediatrician. I'm waiting for an appointment for him.

You're right, you can't trust schools to help. He's been gone from being labelled as 'naughty' and 'socially inept' to 'nothing's wrong at all.'

I really do hope your child gets the support he needs now.

I'm not sure if all LEAs have it but you could ask if the school could refer to the Movement Difficulties Support Service - works with children with dyspraxia, who tend to be clumsy, lacking in coordination and with poor attention span

I was told by ds1's primary one teacher that "he would behave better in school if he were disciplined at home". He was later diagnosed with DCD/ADHD. However other teachers have been fabulous with him. He actually is very good at ice skating!

Update - Spoke to the SENCO today, and she's putting DS on the following interventions:

• Pyramid club - for his social skills
• Speed Up - for his handwriting
• Fizzy - for his balance / body awareness

• she's going to get him assessed by a language specialist!

And she's finally noticed he's got problems :)

I'm really thrilled.