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SEN

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

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Original poster

Could this be dyspraxia?

13 replies

mumtoone · 16/02/2010 21:35

I'm wondering whether DS might be dyspraxic and if so what do I should I do next. I've noted below some of the things that make me suspect he could have a problem.
He is 6 years old and has struggled with learning to swim (body position low in water). He loves going underwater and will lob himself into the pool without any concerns but his swimming is rather unconventional! We've tried quite a few times to get him to ride his bike without stabilisers but no success yet. His teacher feels that he should be writing far more than he does particularly considering his reading ability. He struggles to take is sweatshirt off. Verbally he is a bright child who shows quite strong emotions and gets rather excitable. He's also still quite a messy eater.
So could this all be quite normal for a 6 year old or should I be doing something about it? If so should I go through his school or the GP?

OP posts:

MmmSex · 16/02/2010 21:37

I was linked this the other day and found it really helpful.

MmmSex · 16/02/2010 21:39

(Sorry, I know that didn't really answer your questions - we have been so focussed on DD1's aspergers tendencies that the idea of dyspraxia never crossed our minds... she sounds a lot like your DS)

KentuckyFriedPenguin · 16/02/2010 21:43

ASD and Dyspraxia can be similar ime - my DS2 has just been diagnosed dyspraxic after a4 year fight.

morethanyoubargainfor · 16/02/2010 21:59

we are currently going through the dyspraxia ass for DS 7, i have just read you OP out loud and he said 'that sounds like me mummy!'.

He also does the swimming thing exactly as you desscribed despite having swimming lessons and being in the water since 8 weeks old. Nor can he ride a bike or make any attempt to try, he doesn't attempt to try anything new. His motivation and lethary is horrendous at times. He is currenly at home after surgery and he is brilliant, attentive, helpful etc. He is even playing with his toys!

He ticks almost every box on that list of milestones but we didn't really notice anything was different until he went in 'serious' school (class 2). Before that we just thought he was a king because we had allowed him to be .

He has now started to expiernce headaches,tumy aches, back aches and feeling sick for days at a time, he has had 21 days out of 5 weeks feeling unwell.

I really hope it gets sorted quickly for his sake, we have a fab pead who is totally on our side.

MmmSex · 16/02/2010 22:06

DD1 learnt to jump v late. Everyone was at me for being oddly fixated on it at the time, but now it just fits in with the rest.

She's also been swimming since sept 08 (lessons - she did it with me before), and she is still in the beginner class because her back legs just don't have the oomph.

Riding a scooter is bizarre to watch too

MmmSex · 16/02/2010 22:06

her back legs? her only legs...

Original poster

mumtoone · 16/02/2010 22:07

morethanyoubargainfor - Its interesting that you say you only really noticed your ds's problems when he went into "serious" school. That is exactly the same for us. DS loved Reception with all the play but year 1 has presented more challenges - sitting still & writing!

OP posts:

MmmSex · 16/02/2010 22:10

DD1 loves drawing and colouring, but they look v "young" pictures and is rarely in the lines. I thought it was an issue of not caring, but I am starting to convince myself more and more that it could be dyspraxia. I am talking to her teacher on Monday and going from there

Cyb · 16/02/2010 22:13

Back legs, lol

mumtoone my ds displays a lot of the things yours does and I had the school OT assess him before half term.

Dyspraxic children find things sooo hard, even following words on a board or sitting still ona carpet for a minute. Copying stuff is really hard too.

My ds was found to have hypermobile arms and fingers and off balance but not dyspraxic. From what you say about your ds he might just be a little physically weak but sounds like a normal 6 year old to me. Has his school said anyhting to you?

Cyb · 16/02/2010 22:14

this gives lots of info

Original poster

mumtoone · 16/02/2010 22:15

The only thing school have remarked on so far is how his writing is significantly weaker than his reading. Parents evening is coming up soon so we will see how he's getting on.

OP posts:

Cyb · 16/02/2010 22:18

Yes my ds's is too.

I was also worried about his lack of competitiveness, eg he will refuse to join in a game where he will ahve to score a goal or go head to head with someone. He will not even sit on a bike s saddle, cried throughout swimming lessons.

Now I know its about his balance my mind is put at rest a bit, and we are playing finger strengthening things at home

morethanyoubargainfor · 17/02/2010 07:48

ah yes the scooter use! my ds is terrible at that!

Also watching him trying to use cutlery is just odd, he doesn't really have that much of a clue poor lad. he has however developed a way of almost hiding all the things he can't do as he has a really good sense of humour and likes to make everyone laugh.

His swimming teacher,school teacher, the optician, have mentioned his lack of being still and lack of concentration etc to me.

He also has hydrocephalus so that was our first thought as he seemed to be losing skills, last summer he was happily walking 15 miles + with us but now he complains of pain etc after about 1 mile.

He also only learnt to hop about 8 months ago and even now he can't do it on the spot!

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