DCD - dyspraxia

[Rhayader]

I took my DS (8) for a private assessment with an OT because he’s been really struggling with handwriting and we’ve done a term of homeschooling due to an international move so I’ve really noticed that he’s behind.

The OT gave him the ABC-2 assessment and he scored 2nd percentile, “highly indicative of DCD”. I previously suspected he was - perhaps - dyspraxic as he really struggled with a season he did of baseball last year and he scored 1st percentile for catching and throwing on the ABC which was lower than I thought! I wasn’t really expecting him to be as low as 2nd percentile though…

There’s a lot of helpful things in the report that we can do to help him but I wondered about how I go about getting him an actual diagnosis or is this report good enough to send to his school? Is there any reason to take this further and if I do is it his GP or someone else?

I also think it’s quite likely he has ADHD and not impossible he might have autism but that seems more difficult to get assessed. The OT mentioned in the report that he has difficulties with sensory things, attention, concentration etc. He’s very bright and I heard that if they are not behind at school it’s harder to get an assessment on the NHS. He scored a 150 on the Cogat in the Spring and is not behind in school (other than handwriting).

If you want to pursue a DCD diagnosis, speak to the GP. In some areas, the school can refer, too. I would also pursue ADHD and ASD assessments if you suspect those. Academically able DC can still be diagnosed. Personally, I think diagnosis is important for understanding yourself.

Support in schools is based on needs, not diagnosis. The school must make their best endeavours to meet a pupil’s SEN and they must make reasonable adjustments. Depending on the support needed, an EHCP may be required in order to meet DS’s needs. Speak to the SENCO at the start of the new academic year.