Lightbulb moment - think my 5 yr old may be dyspraxic - any experience?

[Miloarmadillo1]

I have been tearing my hair out over my middle child, 5 yr old boy. He seems incapable of following simple instructions or completing the simple routines that we do every single day (getting up, dressed and out the door in the morning, bath and bedtime). We've just had parent consultations for yr1, his teacher says he is bright and knowledgeable but can't get it down on paper. His handwriting is completely illegible and he struggles with pencil control - I have seen the work on display for his class and he is miles behind. He is in-coordinated and falls often, every day we get a note home from school about some bump or other. We used to go to a preschool gym class which he enjoyed but was hopeless at. He has stagnated in swimming lessons for ages, despite taking him weekly since he was a baby he still can't swim. He can ride a bike without stabilisers, but he was very slow to learn on his balance bike and on a micro-scooter (to the point where slowly I lost the will to live before he finally got it) He reads very well for his age, I don't think he has any language difficulties and he's very sociable with lots of friends.

Does this sound like dyspraxia to anyone with experience? Any suggestions on whether I should pursue a diagnosis if so, or just try to help with the areas he's finding difficult? Any good resources for handwriting/fine motor skills in particular? What about routines?

I have a teenage boy who is dyspraxic. At 5, it's hard to tell, and lots of professionals really don't know much about Developmental Coordination Disorder/Dyspraxia. Many boys lack the hand strength and hand eye coordination but do catch up later...

However, with the organisational difficulties, I would be inclined to see the GP and ask for referral to Paeds. If you're lucky, you'll get referred on to a good physio and Occupational Therapist, but it does vary from area to area. You may also have quite a long wait... A diagnosis will help to a certain extent, as you can then access the services you may need.

You can do lots of things to help in the meantime.

There are lots of ideas for fine motor skills here www.ot-mom-learning-activities.com/hand-exercises-for-kids.html

Exercises that strengthen the core are brilliant, so balance boards, gym balls and that kind of thing would be great.

Swimming is hard as it's involving bilateral coordination... therapystreetforkids.com/BilateralCoord.html good ideas here to help.

Does he take time to process what you are saying? And if so, are you allowing him enough time to respond? The best advice I can give is when you give instructions, keep it simple... "First brush your teeth, then come downstairs" You could even do a visual checklist that he can follow?

General and very good advice here....
www.dyspraxiafoundation.org.uk/

Hope this helps

Thank you tarrarra that's very helpful.