Tentative diagnosis of Dyspraxia - help!

[zisforzebra]

We were given a tentative diagnosis of Dyspraxia for DS1 (8yrs) yesterday. We've had our suspicions for a while. He's been under the SALT since reception and although his speech has improved it's got very slow and drawn out with extended syllables. He also has problems with co-ordination, concentration, speed of school work, using cutlery, handwriting, handling his emotions (the slightest thing will see him in a rage/floods of tears) and number work (although his reading and spelling are excellent)

The paediatrician is going to write to the school about getting an education psychologists report and refer us to OT.

Should we mention this to his teacher before we get a definite diagnosis? He's always had a problem getting through the set work in the time given but is now being kept in several lunch times a week to finish work that he's not getting through during lessons. It's not that I think he shouldn't have to finish the work just that he's trying hard to do it in the time and it's getting him down that he can't

Any help would be gratefully received.

yes you should mention it so that his work can be differentiated in quantity if not level of difficulty. Poor chap, it can't be doing much for his confidence to be kept in nor will it help his concentration if he doesn't get a proper break. Does he have an IEP as he should already be on School Action Plus?

Yes - I would mention to the school as soon as possible. If he has dyspraxia he should not be punished for completing his work slowly - poor lad. I'm sure school would/should use a different strategy if they were aware he has/ may have dyspraxia.

zisforzebra have you read the amberlight OP on this page? There are quite a few of us around with DC with a dx of dyspraxia or similar. Amberlight gives a really good insight into the difficulties which may help with understanding some of the issues.
I would mention the tentative dx to the teachers, although i would imagine that they are probably aware of most of the issues by this age.
Schools can be very accommodating with timing issues - giving extra time etc. It may even be that if the staff are made aware that they cut him some slack with his speed and empathise more, which in itself might boost his confidence. When i say cut him some slack i mean that if he has understood the principal of what they are working on, why make him write 5 examples when he has done 3 correctly already?
I must admit that as long as it isn't 'golden time' on a Friday that he works through, my DS would rather miss some of break time and finish his work than not finish it.
I soooo get the floods of tears - had that today when he wasn't first to ring the bell on the bus, he was inconsolable! [hblush]

Thanks everyone.

I haven't read the amberlight thread - will do it now. He hasn't had an IEP since moving up to year 3 but I will mention it to his teacher tomorrow. It is affecting his confidence. He's really bright but rarely shows it at school due to his confidence level.

auntevil DS used to have to work through golden time so often when he was in infants school that when he started at juniors, he'd automatically go and get his unfinished work when goldentime was announced.

zisforzebra i know this sounds harsh, and if someone had of done this to me i would have thought it harsh, but however gifted or not, our DSs will have to work just that little bit harder to be at the same level as if they didn't have dyspraxia. It takes my DS at least 3 times the amount of time that he should be doing his homework to complete it, but i make him complete it. I'm not called auntevil for nothing. It's a harsh realisation that they are slower and whilst i will always fight for him to have consideration given, he will always in life have to put that extra in to get things done (dressing, choosing what to have as a snack even).
This is why i don't mind that he sometimes works through playtime. As an adult he will have to make choices as to whether to put extra effort in to complete things. It's a fact of his life.

I know auntevil . It is harsh but I know he has to do the work. I spoke to his teacher today and she said she'd see what she could do for him in the classroom. I just want them to recognise that he's trying really hard. He's always happy to go to school and enjoys being there so I don't want him to be put off that by never seeming to achieve what they expect of him if that makes any sense.

But maybe telling the teacher about the dx you have for your DS has helped him. Although the teacher might not expect any less, her attitude towards his work might make a difference. Sometimes it's the small things that children pick up on. the odd nod of the head, smiley face in the margin or any small nugget of approval that the teacher might be more willing to give him now might give him a greater sense of achievement.
I always remember a sign that was on my brother's desk. " Maybe i am not an under achiever, maybe you are an over expected" . It's so true [hgrin]