Co-ordination Development Disorder - any advice gratefully received

[Imfeckinpetigo]

I originally posted this under Children's Health but have been recommended to re-post it in this section in the hope that maybe someone here can help me.

I'm sorry I can't do links so have just copied my original message (computer dunce I'm afraid)....

My dd, 7, has recently been diagnosed with CDD. It affects her quite badly in that she has difficulty writing, running, most ball sports, small motor skill things like doing buttons etc. We are very lucky where we live in that she is being given a lot of help from her school, extra motor classes and she goes to see an OT every week to work on her gross motor skills.

I am very happy and very grateful for everything that is being done to help and I'm very proud of her. She never complains about the fact there are things she simply can't do instead she smiles and laughs and tries so very hard.

However I am a bit worried about her behaviour in small things, for example she was always a bit scared of big dogs, this grew to a real fear of any dogs and now gone on to include cats (but only ones she doesn't know so far). She walks up to school every day with her friend, tomorrow her friend has an appointment first thing so I offered to walk up with her and her brother. She got herself in a complete panic, crying and very distressed about wanting to walk on her own but not being able to. We finally agreed not to talk about it again until tomorrow morning when she can decide what she wants. Last year she really enjoyed sledging, this year she wouldn't even get on the sledge even with me, she was sure she would fall off. Again she was very distressed and annoyed at herslef. Also I notice that she is struggling with her maths, sometimes she just can't seem to understand what she is meant to do.

I'm sorry this is such a book, really I wanted to ask if anyone has any experience of CDD and if so are any of my dd's (sorry I don't want to use this word but can't think of another) issues related to it?

I am a single parent and sometimes find it difficult to explain to anyone properly about the little things as it is primarily me who is around to see them, so thanks to anyone who can offer any advice.

it's more commonly known as dyspraxia in the uk, so you might get a lot more info leading with this.

dd2 doesn't have dyspraxia, but she has cp and so her gross and fine motor skills are affected in much the same way as a severely dyspraxic child.

the best thing you can do for her is to ask your paed for an OT assessment and some occupational therapy. ot's do lots of work with children with these type of issues and it can be really beneficial for motor development. you might want to discuss with school whether an iep with some specific co-ordination targets would be useful - there are a number of (for example) handwriting programmes (write from the start etc) that can be used by schools and at home with great success.

OTs can also advise on exercises for improving co-ordination/ self help skilss such as dressing/ cutlery use etc.

sometimes the other issues you describe are confidence related - if a child knows they are having trouble in areas they can get a bit phobic about attempting them. it can all be worked on with support and patience.

an ot would really be the best place to start, although if you have specific issues there are lots of folk posting on here who can give you detail (for example re handwriting etc)

lol, just missed that she's already seen an ot

ignore meeeeeee.....

Your Dd is at the age when children [especially girls] start to notice that they are finding things harder than there friends.

They often desperatly[sp] want to be the same as everyone else and this can have a huge effect on their confidence. It is really sad to see them so upset. Maybe you could get some help with raising her self-esteem, this would be of great benenfit to her especially before she goes t secondary school.

Dd3[8] has poor motor skills although apparently she is not dyspraxic, she is just starting to notice that she finds something really hard although due to her suspected ASD she is not really bothered by what the others can do.

I don't suppose you know what percentile your Dd was on for her motor skills in the OT assessment, My Dd3 was on the 16th percentile but has been discharged with no support.

My dd (10) has a dx of Developmental Coordination Disorder. She is generally a happy soul and doesn't usually complain about things she finds difficult but lacks confidence with lots of things.

She also finds maths extremely difficult, school Senco has mentioned possible Dyscalculia. Seems to fit the criterea for this. Does your dd 'forget' what she has learned after a while of not doing it? Mine needs a lot of overlearning for maths but does very well with reading/writing.

Indigobell, I believe the cutoff is the 15th percentile for a dx. Dd scored on the first and was also discharged from OT after a few sessions.

You can find info on the Dyspraxia foundation site that may help you with strategies to support your dd at home and in school if they can be bothered if they are supportive.
www.dyspraxiafoundation.org.uk/index.php

Hi, Imfeckingpetigo,

Your dd's issues could be tied in with the DCD/dyspraxia. Dyspraxia in particular is not generally confined to finding motor skills difficult to learn and perfect, albeit that if DCD is used as a separate diagnosis, it normally indicates (in countries where both terms are used) that the main issue is thought to be the co-ordination.

It is quite common for dyspraxics to find they have subtle oddities in perception, for example, or over or under-sensitivity to some things (textures, sounds, some visual things, smells) etc. Why not try the dyspraxia foundation website already suggested and see whether any of your dd's issues co-incide with the sorts of things mentioned on there? Tbh, the sorts of issues you are having with your dd don't sound that unusual, to me, for a child with dyspraxia, but I don't claim to be an expert!

Hi there

My son has DCD which is Development and coordination disorder. He was diagnosed at 6 and is now 11 so have been through a lot. My son struggles most with writing and maths. He really struggled with reading untill one day he just seemed to be able to read. He also has funny fears and obsessions, he has a toy that he has had for year s and must always know where it is. he has sensory issues that have only recently been diagnosed, if he is busy places or loud places he closes in on himself, he doesn't complain just withraws. The condition is very complicatated and seems to cover a whole range of problems etc. My advice is not to panic, take each little step at a time, try to deal with each thing individually as the big picture is sometimes to overwhelming. Remeber you daughter is not just DCD she also has her own personality, I say this because for a long time every little hang up my son has i put down to DCD when in fact he is sometimes just a brat and will play me like a iddle just like my other kids. If you live in the scottish highlands there is a great association based in Inverness look up the hdcd WEBSITE.

Thank you all for your replies, sorry it has taken me so long to get back, mad Christmas rush as usual. One year I will be organised!

Rabbitstew, yanny and presario your messages really hit home for me, as my dd fits so many of the things you have mentioned. I do feel I have to 're-learn' her maths with her every homework night and she too has a cuddly that she's had since birth that she cannot go anywhere without. At her brothers rollerskating birthday party last month her dad had to take her into a different room as the music/boys screaming was having a terrible effect on her. I have looked at the Dyspraxia website previously but shall have a proper look again now.

I do not know which score she got exactly from the OT, his report mentioned she was in the minus braket and that her DCD was quite severe. We have been very lucky in that she get a special movement class at school (which the staff put on specifically for her) and she sees the OT every week for an hour. I can see a marked improvement in lots of her movements however the other issues seem to be increasing.

She is a lovely little girl and really do just want her to be happy and confident, I get scared that I'm not doing things 'right' and that somehow I will let her down.

All your messages have made me feel not so alone and that I shouldn't worry and fret so much. Thank you all so much.