CTOPP and dysgraphia for GCSE

[Watsername]

DS14 is in year 10 and was dx with SpLD in spelling, writing and fine motor control at age 7. He also has ASD traits (but not a full dx of ASD).

He's recently sat some 'mock mocks' at school (Grammar School, so expected to be a high achiever) and didn't do terribly well in his English Language (but exceptionally well in other subjects where he doesn't need to write so much). I have emailed both his teacher and SENCO. The teacher thinks he would benefit from extra time, but the SENCO says he doesn't qualify for it because he scored above 85 in a recent CTOPP assessment.

Firstly, can anyone explain what CTOPP assesses? I have googled it and don't understand the jargon. Is it to do with reading? He can read VERY well, and reading has never been an issue? Can you get extra time with a score of above 85?

Secondly, is CTOPP the right assessment for writing difficulties? (He struggles not only with fine motor control, but getting what's in his head down on paper - he is very good at expressing himself verbally, but struggles writing it).

Thirdly, is extra time ever available for dysgraphia?

Would it be worth getting him privately assessed again?

Thank you!

I also have a year 10 Ds who is 14 and at Grammar school. He is currently being assessed for ASD and one of our concerns is his handwriting. He was referred to the NHS OT who he has been seeing.

She has discovered that he has lax joints in his fingers that is contributing to his poor handwriting. She has said she is happy to recommend a laptop although being a teenager he is anxious about looking different. She is going to do a DASH test next time he sees her. I think that is a test that can determine whether a child is entitled to extra time due to handwriting issues. I actually don't think my Ds will be entitled to extra time but I still think it's worth doing the test.

I don't know anything about the CTOPP unfortunately. Hopefully another poster may have some info. I can understand you wanting to get things sorted though. I feel a bit like we are running out of time with gcses next year.

Thank you for your reply. My DS also has hypermobility in his elbows and shoulder blades which affects handwriting too.

It would be nice to sort this all out soon!

Sorry I couldn't really offer you anymore advice on the assessments. It may be worth you trying to get a OT referral as my son's one seems to be very knowledgeable about handwriting and the difficulties surrounding it. Not sure if the DASH test would be a good one for him to do?

Good luck and hope he can access the right support.

Does he type OP? My DS was diagnosed with dysgraphia a few months ago (after several years of pointless handwriting interventions). His average CTOPP was 139, but the Ed psych recommended extra time in exams. However, we’ve found that now he’s typing he doesn’t actually need to time.

Yes, he can type very well. He thinks clearer composing on a keyboard, than on paper.