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SN children

Here are some suggested organisations that offer expert advice on special needs.

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Original poster

Been suggested Dyspraxia but I'm not so sure

10 replies

SixFeetUnder · 04/12/2011 18:47

This is my first ever thread I've started but am really in need of some advice that I'm hoping you will have some knowledge about.

On Friday I had a meeting with the educational psychologist at the school who had observed my two boys (4 and 3) in the nursery a few weeks earlier. She had identified some characteristics which she thought were indicative of Dyspraxia with possible underlying ADHD in both of my sons and suggested speaking with the GP for referral to a paed. consultant.

Some of the things she was talking about does sound very much like my boys, they can be very clumsy and falling over, they do everything at high speed, constantly moving, making a lot of noise and they do have high levels of activity.

But after having had a chance to read up more on Dypraxia and ADHD over the weekend I really feel that there is more to back up the symptoms of ADHD than there is Dyspraxia. The boys were early walkers, haven't failed to reach any of their developmental milestones and although my youngest hasn't shown much interest, my eldest does and has loved jigsaw from an early age. They both love playing with lego and can manage so no problem with fine motor skills there.

My question is, do you think I should call the educational psychologist tomorrow with my thoughts or just go to the GP asking for the referral as suggested as I do realise I am not an expert on either of these conditions?

OP posts:

sazale · 04/12/2011 19:22

My daughter had an assessment with an OT as she complained of pain when writing (she's 12) and the stuff they asked her to do I thought she'd walk it but she didn't! It was the way she did stuff mainly that they identified. She'd developed coping strategies to enable her to do things but they weren't the most productive way and I was very surprised to find that her fine motor skills were in the significant impairment category!

My youngest who is 4 is also now being referred and I'm on the fence with him but I thought its best to let them check and say no issue than to wait and him have difficulties later. HTH

IndigoBell · 04/12/2011 19:54

There's so many overlapping symptoms between ASD / ADHD / Dyspraxia and Dyslexia that most children will fit the criteria for more than one diagnosis.

I'd get both conditions checked out at this stage. You want them to be seen by both a paed and an OT. The paed will probably refer you on to an OT.

Nothing will happen quickly.....

Hassledge · 04/12/2011 20:00

I think the latter - just go for the referral. My Dyspraxic DS2 hit all his physical milestones early - walking before he was 1, etc. - and no problem with other developmental stuff. We only really noticed fine motor skill problems with cutlery and handwriting/drawing etc; most of the early issues were to do with co-ordination and clumsiness. You may well be right in your observations, but I can't see there's much to be gained by talking to the Ed Psych again at this stage.

Original poster

SixFeetUnder · 04/12/2011 20:02

Thanks for replying, that does help, I think I'm just a bit bamboozled and trying to get my head round things. The EP said that my boys stand out in the nursery setting in terms of their levels of activity and the way they move around (don't seem to have any awareness of obstacles in their path) but they're the only kids I have, I wasn't aware that they were any more boisterous than others (although have felt like an extremely crappy mother at times as others just seemed to be coping so much better than me).

Feeling hugely guilty too that I may have missed things or told them off for things that may not have strictly been their fault Trying to console myself that they have picked up on things early so they will have support in place for starting school.

OP posts:

IndigoBell · 04/12/2011 20:07

You are very lucky that things have been picked up this early.

Everyone feels guilty. And everyone feels like a crap mum.

But you're not. You're just at the beginning of the next phase.

You've got some hard times coming up. But essentially nothing's changed. Your boys are still the gorgeous energetic lively boys you love so much.

Good luck. Stick with us. There is so much good advice given out of this board. Far more than any (one) professional will ever give you :)

Eveiebaby · 04/12/2011 20:11

I would do both. Go to the GP for a referral but also let the EP know your thoughts. She may be able to explain in more detail to you why she suggested dyspraxia but also bear in mind that she is not qualified to diagnose dyspraxia or ADHD.

Original poster

SixFeetUnder · 04/12/2011 20:38

Thanks so much for the support ladies, have lurked on Musmnet for a while but have never had the need to post.

Indigo you are so right, they are the same and I wouldn't want them to be any other way. Will just have to see what happens next I suppose.

Thanks again for all your thoughts, I really appreciate them. I should probably make it clear that I wasn't trying to argue with the EP or suggest she doesn't know what she's talking about, I'm just so confused with information at the mo! I will make the GP app tomorrow I think and take it from there.

OP posts:

justaboutstillhere · 04/12/2011 21:14

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Jerbil · 04/12/2011 22:05

Hi DS1 walked at 9 months. Physically I thought he was fine. But actually, no. A private physiotherapy report has revealed that the way he does things is inefficient and leads to poor pencil grip, fatigue, frustration to mention but a few. I was absolutely amazed at the physical issues he has considering I thought this was an area of strength. Most importantly for us they picked up visual issues the standard School test hadn't and never would.

One thing I'd say stick with your instincts. It's hard with everyone saying (after 2 mins of knowing your DC's) they all do that, mine does that. Yes but when you add everything together that's what you need to consider. If School are on your side, that's your first battle won. Wow, seeing an EP already - that's amazing. Get as much as you can in writing from any observations, it helps cos everything gets mashed together, and with 2 DC's even more so.

Good luck

Triggles · 04/12/2011 22:38

If you're unclear why they've mentioned dyspraxia, the best thing to do is simply ask why. I'm sure they have fairly good reasons and would happily tell you what those reasons are.

ADHD does bring in a lot of other co-morbids, and so many things that are symptoms or signs of one condition are also signs of another. It really does get overwhelming sometimes.

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