dyspraxia - what can be done, if anything?

[carocaro]

DS is 6 has moderate dyslexia, his teacher also thinks he is dyspraxic and that I should take him to the docs for an assesment. But what then? Can anything actually be done? Will it help get more assistance at school? Reading about it, he does exhibit some of the signs, but then again he is a tall, busy, enthusiastic child and much like his pals at school on the falling over/clumsy front, for want of better words.

I guess I am just struggling with this, does he need to be labelled, will it do any good? Or more harm?

We have talked to him about his dyslexia and he was very positive and quite glad to find out why reading and writing were a struggle. He loves school and is doing well. So I don't feel like adding another thing to the list, iykwim, esp. what there are so many theories and cures and whatnot about it!

Thoughts?

Thanks

I think there is alot that can be done to help dyspraxia. OT for one. You should have a look at the DORE website. I'm sure there are other resources that others will know about.

Have a look at the Dyspraxia Foundation website (www.dyspraxiafoundation.org.uk). It isn't just about falling over (my DS1 has it and hardly ever falls over). It applies to any motor skills so if your DS finds handwriting hard, or riding a bike, getting dressed, eating with cutlery then he may have a bigger problem than the dyslexia.

Yes there are things you can do. As castles said they can have a programme with an OT. It does help as it is a case of training the muscles until something becomes second nature. It is easy for most people but takes extra practice for dyspraxics.

Where we live the OT will only be involved until a child is 11 (unless you are really bad) because believe the children should have learnt sufficient coping mechanisms by then. It pays to get some help as soon as possible.

And of course it isn't just about motor skills because it raises its own set of behavioural issues and it can affect speech where the muscles of the mouth don't work effectively and you have verbal dyspraxia.

An ed psych won't be able to diagnose dyspraxia - you will probably have to get that via the GP. If you don't feel your DS is suffering unduly then it is up to you whether you bother. However, the advantageof the label is that he will get help, particularly with exams where the children may be given a scribe or a laptop to cope with SATS and other exams.

Niecie, is it true that dyspraxics can be fussy eaters? DS has some motor skills weakness (poor pencil grip, difficulty riding bike etc) and is quite a fussy eater too.

I don't know for sure - DS1 has mild AS as well (or not it isn't clear).

He is quite fussy - will only eat certain types of yoghurt, eats very few kinds of fruit and veg, even though he ate them all when he was little, has to have things just so but I am not sure if it is because of the dyspraxia the AS or he is just plain fussy!

I can see why it might be cause - dyspraxics have can trouble with sensory stimulation which could include taste and how things feel in their mouths. It is the same with AS children too.

Its a good question though - hadn't put 2 and 2 together before!! I see if I can find anything .

Dyspraxic DS2 has taken fussy eating to extreme levels. Basically he survives on a diet of pasta, apples, milk and air. I read that it was more to do with strange textures in the mouth than the actual taste of the food - so they stick with textures they're familiar with.

otoh, my ds has dyspraxia and has been the easiest child to feed in the world- that's the trouble with these lists of signs.
I agree that an early diagnosis is to be preferred, true here too that OTs stop helping at age 11, plus there's a very long waiting list, so the window of opportunity can be quite narrow.

thanks,what is OT?

Occupational therapy (ists)

good points everyone, a great help, have just made a docs appt for next week, so can take it from there.

I agree with the others about the label.

Ignore it if you want to - we do a lot. But it is a shorthand and explains to other people that they have problems of a certain type. If you try to explain why you DC can't do X, Y or Z without giving it a name it can sound like you are making excuses for lazy or difficult behaviour when it isn't anything of the sort. If you have a label it sounds official!

Oh and good luck at the doctors.

Thanks Niecie. I'm also wondering about SPD now having just spoken to a friend who's DS has it (and I didn't know) and I had a minor lightbulb moment . Fussy eating/motor skill problems can be symptoms too. There is so much over-lap!

Carocaro, sorry for hijack but pleased to hear you have an appt. Agree with others: a label is a positive thing. It gets things done. DS has a label of language disorder (although I'm not sure that is the 'issue' now ). Only the school need to know, close friends etc, if you choose.

There's a page of exercises for dyspraxics on my website:

www.aowm73.dsl.pipex.com/dyslexics/exercise.htm

What a fab site

my eldest is Dyspraxic, and was diagnosed @ age 5 !( nearly 13 now)

had poor writing / cutting skills,using cutlery,riding a bike ,tying laces etc

but got there in the end with all of them!

He has social issues too ! can be very shy / sensitive ( used to cry at the drop of a hat in school!)or on the other end of the scale,very hyper and it's as though he doesn't know how to act in certain situations!!

also personal appearance is awful and will quite happily go out with a dirty face,or shirt untucked etc etc ! needs constant reminding / nagging lol

He did go to OT up to age 11, and we looked into DORE but it is so expensive!

His school have been fab, and he gets extra time for exams etc,and they do a gross motor group few times a week

The SEN teachers ( who are lovely) have an open door policy so if ever he is feeling in need of something ( anything!) he can go and ask there

He went to Germany with his school for 5 days @ easter !! and survived, lol
I was worried once he started secondary school,with him getting the bus etc,bigger school,getting to grips with a tie !!

but he has ,on the whole been fine, and will be in year 9 this september

oh and as for fussy eater ?! no way ,he eats for Wales! and only dislikes pickles and beetroot lol

Thanks for the link to your website Maverick.

Well, DS has just been diagnosed with dyspraxia! He ticks nearly every box. It is so nice to finally have a proper dx. We are about to start an OT programme with him which could last for about a year. To answer the OP's original question: he is 7 and according to the OT there is so much that can be done. I'm quite excited about it all really

RachieB, he sound's very like your DS. Apart from the eating

haha

Hope the OT goes well
My son used to love going

she was a lovely lady who made everything really fun,and treated him nicely / with patience even when he used to get upset ( if he couldn't do something eg)

Well I have an appointment at the local hospital Child Development Centre for the end of May! YIPEE!

I saw a GP a new one who was a complete idiot, I explained to her the issue and she looked at me quizzically and like I was talking Double Dutch and said she had never heard of anyone having treatment for it! I lost patience as she was just dreadfull so I left and remade the appt. with another GP who was BRILLIANT. So we will wait and see.

We refer a lot of children to Tree Tops Occupational Therapy with good results

We are also fortunate that Dr Madeline Portwood who is recognised nationally as an expert in this field works in our authority.