Please or to access all these features

SEN

Here you'll find advice from parents and teachers on special needs education.

Dyspraxia but good at sport?!

2 replies

nicemarmot · 11/12/2023 10:54

DS8 has just been assessed for dyslexia by a specialist teacher. He has been behind at school- we’re doing a lot with him to help catch up and he sees a specialist tutor once a week. His writing is where he particularly struggles- both handwriting and the content (finds it difficult to sequence and organise his ideas). The assessor does not think he is dyslexic but has mild dyspraxia (but is unable to formally diagnose as this would need to be an OT). Reading up on dyspraxia I am really unsure that DS’s picture fits. DS is very good at sports and I think naturally so, not just the result of lots of practice. He doesn’t display any clumsiness. On fine motor skills he did find buttons a bit tricky for a while it now does up his own shirt for school in the morning. His writing and cutlery skills are the only areas that I would identify as weak. He apparently used the stairs awkwardly at the assessor’s house but have never noticed a problem with stairs elsewhere. He also always sits to the side of his chair at dinner time.

Does anyone else have experience of being diagnosed with dyspraxia when gross motor skills are good? We’ve waited ages for this assessment and now I’m wary of him being mislabelled.

OP posts:
nottransphobic · 14/12/2023 18:52

Dyspraxia does not exist as a diagnostic label anymore. It used to be a bit of a catch all. It has been replaced with Developmental Co-ordination Disorder. Co-ordination concerns gross and fine skills. Don't think OT can diagnose DCD - but they can contribute to a diagnosis. My son was diagnosed by nhs consultant paediatrician - so not sure how it works privately.

I'd get an EP assessment of executive functioning. If you are getting a tutor and he is falling behind apply for an ehcp. EHCP should include EP assessment of EF - though you might need to ask for whole assessment. Also make sure you appeal cos you will get turned down at panel by LA.

Evenmoretired44 · 15/12/2023 08:52

i am not a specialist in this area but in the case of myself and my son it is the opposite. We have great fine motor coordination and poor gross motor coordination - so I assume the reverse can happen with great gross motor skills and poor fine motor skills.

New posts on this thread. Refresh page