Is over-reacting to thing a dyspraxic trait....?

[mrsbaffled]

I am feeling exasperated! DS (7) is really struggling with his emotions at the moment. He's always struggled not to over-react to pain or injustice (or over anything, really!), but with going back to school he's gone into melt-down!

Yesterday he burst into tears after school because I asked him to ask the teacher something at the end of school. He creid all the way home then yelled how much he hates me :( (sadly DS2 is now copying and now 'hates' everything too)

This morning he's been screaming in the garden for a good half hour (I pity our neighbours as it was 9am) because he saw me put a small toy into the bin which he's never liked or played with and has been in the garage for 5 years(!) He's like a 2 year old again :S

BUT in between these sad episodes he's literally bouncing off the walls - really really hyper.

The switch from high to low is so extreme - it's exhausing! I am tredding on eggshells recently.

We suspect he has dyspraxia (we have been referred through GP) - is this someting to do with that, or could it be something else???

Dyspraxia has many, many overlapping symptoms with ASD (as well as ADHD and dyslexia). So yes, what you describe is a symptom of his dyspraxia.

Hmmm. Thanks Indigo.

How do they tell the difference between things like AS / ADHD and Dyspraxia?

Dyspraxia is more related to the physical issues and planning, plus emotional consequences of it, such as a need for predictability, disorganisation and poor concentration. I'd agree with Indigo that it may be he is on the Autistic spectrum, for example, but diagnosis would depend on which traits predominate.

I should imagine you ds has just gone back to school after a long break, to a new year, a new class, a new teacher, well a new everything. A lot of change to deal with. Ds is the same, things that he can just about cope with, at times of change, he doesnt cope with so well.

It is very likely that my ds has dyspraxia, he has sensory processing disorder (although this is listed as a 'difficulty', not a diagnosis) he has a diagnosis of ASD.

I was told that all ASD children, suffer SPD and a host of other difficulties, to varying degrees.

I would say his motor traits are the worst. It's his writing problems which have got school worried. He's so clever and a perfectionist too, but get frustrated because of his inability to put down all the wonderful stuff in his head. He seems to hold the emotional stuff in at school, but let's it all go at home. He just bounces at church(!) He was such a hard baby too - cried all the time :(

I think it's pretty random which dx you get. Depends who gives it out :)

Some people hit the jackpot and get multiple dxs :) some just get dx with one but clearly have both.

I don't actually believe DCD is a sep condition from ASD. I think you'll find everyone on here whose DC have a dx of ASD also has dyspraxic symptoms. And you've clearly described your son as having ASD symptoms.....

:(

Yes, but Justa, 2 kids with ASD will also have very different problems.

Thanks justa will look into that...

my son is dyspraxic and he is certainly over emotional and tends to have a persecution complex as well. everything is very black and white with him as well and he has to report on any perceived wrongs at every opportunity.

I don't know if that is typical of dyspraxia or not.

it is exhausting but I've never managed to get him any real help despite my constant battles.

One would hope that the paed will look at all symptoms and make the right assessments and diagnosis? I imagine they will consider ASD even though my initial concern at GPs was dyspraxia????

Mrs Baffled - My DS1 (8) dx dyspraxia - also has some sensory issues (still awaiting sensory diet from OT!) has also been very stressed this week. The euphoria of going back to school last week has meant this week his stress levels are off the scale. So much so that he had to be brought home by lunchtime one day as they couldn't calm him down.
We often have tears and sometimes full blown meltdowns. I've always thought that partly it's due to the excess effort required to do anything - whether it be physical (writing can be a very physical activity) or concentrating (which is very draining too). Add this to a new teacher, new topics, new classroom etc etc and it's no wonder the stress is creeping in.
I'm hoping that he gets back into a routine quickly. I have always found that at school - where he tries so hard to be good and work hard - he finds a routine as quick as he can as it helps him cope. The down side is when the school mess with that routine!
Is your DS an angel for school and the reverse for you?

Yes, perfect at school - overexcitable for me. He's not really 'naughty' at home, but doesn't react quickly when I tell him to do things, so have to repeat myself often. Then he says I am 'shouting' at him (I am not) and bursts into tears :(

His seems to manage his frustrations at school, but just lets go at home, so writing often ends in tears at home, for example.

I'd say it is. It certainly seems to be very common for dyspraxics to have this lack of control over their emotions.

I am one,and it doesn't take much to upset me,even if I'm angry not at all upset often the tears will flow.It annoys me but I can't really control it.

Also I find it difficult to read tone,timbre and other cues that tell me if someone is being kind or rude,or if they're joking,so I often become upset if I think someone is being rude to me or irritable when actually they aren't.

That's interesting letthereberock thanks x

im off to bed but want to come back to this so making my mark so i dont lose it! my nearly 7 year old son sounds exactly like yours. xx

Hi All

you may find these research papers of some interest.
Dyspraxia or developmental coordination disorder? Unravelling the enigma
Developmental Coordination Disorder and Joint Hypermobility Syndrome ? overlapping disorders? Implications for research and clinical practice
Co-occurring disorders: A possible key to visual perceptual deficits in children with developmental coordination disorder?
A Cochrane review of treatment for childhood apraxia of speech
Deficits in attention, motor control, and perception: a brief review
Identification and Evaluation of Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders

There are a wide range of issues which require a wide range of specialists to identify and diagnose wide range of medical or clinical and possibly co - existing issues. And there are also the various medical issues which can cause non medical issues such as dyslexia, and ASD, some of which are still part of ongoing medical research.

thanks dolfrog. your papers are just what Ive been looking for. DS just diagnosed with DCD and really confused about the difference between DCD and dyspraxia. thanks