Ds2 (5) with dyspraxia can't raise arm up straight - any suggestions?

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Just that really. During his OT assessment he couldn't do some exercises as unable to hold arm straight up in the air comfortably. He had never complained of this before so OT just said to keep an eye on it.

He's not mentioned it again until today.

We were at a fun day and the kids had to raise their hands - he was getting upset because he couldn't. He literally couldn't get it all the way straight in the air. The arm straightens, but in a straight position he can only old it at an angle so his hand is about level with his head.

If he strains further he gets pain through his arm pit.

I tried him lying down so he wasnt having to fight gravity, but same problem.

OT had noticed his hamstrings were tight.

Any connection? And what do I do now.

I really don't think he has a full range of movement in his shoulder which is why he gets upset putting on t shirt, and he has also taught himself to put his coat on back to front and upside down then flip it behind him so his arms are stretching forward to go through the sleeves and not backward.

Feel bad it's taken me so long to notice and don't really know what to do now.

Any experience or advice greatly appreciated.

Should have added that he would be very unlikely to complain of pain ever so the fact that he hasn't complained about this doesn't mean that the problem is only intermittent ifyswim.

OT should be able to refer to physio, who might be able to suggest some exercises to develop the flexibility.
Unfortunately we have the reverse - hypermobility, so no experience apart from knowing the above route to physio. Sorry

Is it just one arm?

My son has v. mild cerebral palsy. Its called hemiplegia. It affects just his left side - but he finds, because of this, it difficult to hold his left hand above his head in the same sort of way.

He doesn't have full range of movement in his left shoulder and similarly finds dresssing hard.

My son also has tight hamstrings, but only on his left side.

Only just seen this skwiff - sorry.

I have concerns that the dyspraxia diagnosis is not correct and that it could be mild CP - but who decides and how do they tell the difference? And does getting the right dx really matter? Soooo many questions still and finding life with ds2 a bit tricky right now.

Apparently a dx of dyspraxia is given once the other causes such as CP have been ruled out. You could always ask whoever dx the dyspraxia what they did to test/insure that there were no underlying neurological causes for the dyspraxia.

The paed gave the dx after about 20 minutes of meeting him. She asked him to walk along a line, draw a circle, hop on one foot and then she stretched an arm back to check for hypotnonia. In an out in less than 20 minutes I'd say.

Maybe I should try and see a private paed?

What has the OT said? Did OT do a report for paed, and are they being heavily reliant on it?

A few things would occur to me.
Does he have the same problem in both arms; is his dominant arm tighter?
When the OT noticed it, did she check his hamstrings?

To me, the different diagnosis would matter, yes. auntevil is right in saying that Dyspraxia should only be diagnosed in the absence of another neurological problem which I would assume the Paedx checked for when diagnosing e.g. did she check his reflexes?
What other assessments have been done prior to this?
How is his strength generally e.g. if he has poor core strength, then he might have tightness at his shoulder girdle to compensate and provide shoulder stability. It would fit with the tight hamstrings.

I presume/hope the OT has given you some stretches to do and that they are referring to Paed Physio too.

Yes his hamstrings are tight, and yes it is both arms, and he can't reach behind well with them either which is why he struggles to put a coat on.

He is very floppy and wobbly with poor core strength and is often hunched over, leaning against something or leaning sideways.

However he is incredibly strong, especially upper body strength and can swing on a rope for much longer than other kids and lifted my friends gym weights the other day, one in each hand and I could barely get them off th ground.

He is overweight despite beign active and eating less than his whippet thin older brother. He's about 97.5% for height and today his feet were measured as bigger than ds1 7 - so there's no sign of his growth slowing down either.

OT gave exercises but not stretching ones. Thing with the arms is something I have only just noticed.

Paed did check reflexes, but made dx before OP report.

The more I think about it the more I think going back to the GP is the best place to start.

he will be needing a good deal of support at school so I suppose sorting out the dx will help with that.

Yes..I think it deserves to be investigated a bit more, just to be sure.
The weak core with tight hamstrings and shoulder girdles would fit....in that people often 'recruit' strength from other areas to compensate.
Many children with with pure Dyspraxia will have core issues.
But it's also associated with other problems. Can you write a list of all the things you have noticed over the years to bring with you to the GP.

Thanks porridge I will do that. I think today has just been one of those days where it hits me right between the eyes how different he is. Had to take him into a supermarket today which i never do because it is so overwhelming for him, and it pretty much went down hill from there :/

I understand that. Was at supermarket on Friday with DS who stimmed his way around (sometimes he's great, sometimes not). Cannot take him to a shopping centre at all.
Sorry you had a hard day. Good nights sleep, fight the good fight tomorrow.