Dyspraixa and Community Paediatrician

[doitthisway]

I believe my soon to be 9 year old son has dyspraxia, my doctor refered him to the Community Paediatrician, and they have come back to say they do not deal with developmental problems, and yet I read on a lot of websites that other children have been diagnosed with dyspraxia by the paediatrician. Does anyone know if there are different kinds og paeds that deal with different things. I'm slightly confused.......

Some services are quite specific about which types of problems they deal with because often they cant cope with the waiting lists. Tbh if your ds has fairly straight forward co-ordination issues a paediatrician probably would be of limited use. I suggest getting a referral to a Physio or Occupational Therapist, they will be able to assess and provide more practical advice. You may be able to refer yourself or if not the SENCo at school or GP will know how.

Thanks jollyma, ds has been see on various occassions by an Occupational Therapist, last time in September, review due in March, but even she said that it would be a paediatrician that would diagnose dyspraxia?
Unfortunately it isnt just co-ordination problems its bad short term memory,trouble with processing informtation, problems with fine and gross motor skills the list goes on.....I would like to get him diagnosed so I can apply for a statement and get him the help that he needs in school as he is at least 2 years behind.

has he seen an EP ?

You do not need a diagnosis in order to apply for a Statement. Making this application personally gives you more rights than school in that you can appeal if the LEA say no to assessment. School cannot.

www.ipsea.org.uk has lots of information on it.

Most decent OT's wont make a diagnosis of dyspraxia because they tend to focus on the presenting problems and look at solutions to these rather than focus on labels. Attila is right, you dont need diagnosis to apply for a statement and it usually doesn't make a difference to the statement. Speak to school and let them know you will be applying for a statement. All the professionals involved in the past will be asked to submit reports.

LIZS - He has seen an EP twice, last one in June 2009, and have been told that you can only see one every 2 years, making it this June he could be seen again if the schools budget allows it.

Attila - Thank you I didnt realise this, I have been putting off applying for a statement thinking that he needs to be diagnosed first. I will certainly look into starting an appeal.

Thanks everyone :)

Could you afford to see an independent EP ? I think 2yr intervals is fairly normal but you might get a fuller picture if you were to pay. ds was assessed by a community paed before being referred to OT. OT can help with processing issues like memory, organisation etc too.

LIZS - I have thought about getting an independent EP report, but wasn't sure whether the LEA would accept this as evidence as they may think that an independant report will only tell them what we what them to say. When I asked them they said they would accept any form of evidence but would also wonder why the school did not feel it necessary to call in the EP, despite probably the only reason being that they wouldn't is because of budget / resources !!

I would be inclined to go back to your GP and get them to find the right Paediatrician who will diagnose Dyspraxia.