Dyspraxia

[mrscanuticacq]

My 9 year old son was assessed by an educational psychologist and is found to have dyspraxia. Can anyone give me any practical advice on this subject?

It is difficult to give advice, you will be better off asking a specific question regarding Dyspraxia or a concern you have relating to your DS. Sorry if that sounds a bit terse, it's not meant to. Were you expecting the EP to mention Dyspraxia?

Dyspraxia is primarily a co-ordination disorder. It can affect core strength, movement, perception, spatial awareness, speech, which in turn can have an minor and major motor skills such as writing, doing buttons, using knife and fork, alternatively a child may be ok with these tasks, but struggle with other aspects of life.

A child can be diagnosed with Dyspraxia on its own or it can be co-morbid with other conditions such as Dyslexia, ADHD, ADD, Aspergers, Autism

Your best bet would be to have a look at websites such as

The Dyscovery Centre
www.newport.ac.uk/research/researchcentres/Centres/Dyscovery%20Centre/About/Pages/default.aspx

The Dyspraxia Foundation
www.dyspraxiafoundation.org.uk/

I also found the following books helpful when my son was diagnosed:

The Hidden Handicap by Amanda Kirby
and
Develpmental Dyspraxia by Madeline Portwood

Thanks for that I'll get those books .x

Read up on Retained Reflexes. My son has development delay, exhibits signs of dyspraxia and dysgraphia. OT did not help much. We are doing a RR prgram.

A lot of info on RR here,read up, many helpful people here, and maybe this can get you started.

Sorry to hijack but Debbie, how are you doing a RR programme? Do you do it wholy at home or do you go somewhere? If so where? Could I ask how old your son is? Mines 4.8 and I'm not sure if he's a bit young but I really feel this may help.
Thanks

feynman,

Ask away!! I have had so many people help me on this forum.

We began with 2 sessions with the therapist. First a prelimnary session where she determined if RR would be of help. When it became clear it would, a detailed evaluation. She then prescribed exercises which we were to do at home. We go back to her every 6 weeks for an evaluation.

The exercises are wholly done at home. They take about 15 minutes. No need to buy any equipment - other than a swiveling chair - you probably already have one for the computer. Evevry 6 weeks we go to the therapist for an evaluation that lasts about 60-90 minutes.The exercises are altered.

The program lasts for about a year, can be more.

My son began at 9.6. We are about half way thru. If I had known about RR earlier, I'd have done it sooner.

At 4.8, your son is a bit young. blueshark I think began when hers was about the same age.

Altho they say 7 is the best age to begin RR, it has been done on smaller kids with wonderful results. Ask other mums on this forum and check with your RR therapist.

There is plenty useful info on Mumsnet on RR, do read up - I benefitted from reading the posts tremendously.

I agree with Debbie.

You can start RR at 4.8.

You go to a clinic every 6 - 8 weeks, and do exercises every day with your child for 10 - 15 minutes.