Off to GPs next week to ask about Dispraxia, what should I expect?

[ClutchingPearls]

DD is nearly 5, has all the symptoms. Recently its become clear she is well below her peers in alot of areas. She struggles putting shoes on, running, clumsyness, holding cutlery and pens the list goes on.
We have also noticed she has no real awareness of what her bodies doing. i.e. at nursery she's told off for not making the correct shapes with her body (stretch up tall, feet together etc) (She no longer goes!) she also finds it impossible to be still. Her speech still isn't clear and she miss hears/pronounces words often. She has had a hearing test which was fine.

So, when I go next week what do I say? Do I mention my concerns about Dispraxia, or wait for them to mention it? I had planned to wait until she started school but have now realised she needs me to act sooner. Hypermobile has been bounded around by consultants before but no one has acted on it (she was too poorly to start previously) should I mention that? Is it likely that I will be told to wait and see? I can't see anything dramatic changing and her suddenly catching up with her peers. What should I ask for her to be referred to?

My DS has an OT come in and she has mentioned that DD struggles and have I had her checked out. Would an occupational therapist be the person she needs referring to or is there other steps before that.

What is the normal route to go? Sorry for all the questions, I have made and canceled this appointment 3 times as I just don't know what to expect and don't want to be fobed off with being told to wait until she's older. It feels like finally admitting she is needing help and she's not just slow to catch on to things.

Sorry my phones autocorrected Dyspraxia.

Yes - I think you should mention to the GP and get the referral started - to OT and/or speech therapist if you still have concerns about that. Or Child development centre if the concerns go wider. In my experience, it can take a long time.

Does your DD have any sensory issues? The problems with body in space (propriception or something like that) and speech/mishearing things can be symptons of sensory processing disorder, which a good OT should be able to help with.

I dont think there is any need to wait until she is older. Though be aware that it probably depends where you are as to the help you will get. My DD has all the same issues with her body. She is nearly 5 and cant pedal or catch a ball and is uncoorrdinated/clumsy but we have been told that she will not get any Local Authority OT support as she is not severe enough.

Good luck with it all.

Hi thanks for your understanding. I've just had a look at sensory processing disorder and she ticks lots of those boxes too. Guess I'll go with an open mind as to what she may/may not have. Its a whole different world.

GP was very good, sent her out so I could cry discuss things freely and agreed that a lot of the symptoms I describe are evident to her.

She has referred her to the community pediatric team for assessment. Apparently she will eventually be called for a week of 1-2 hour assessments (or a whole day). Will she normally receive a diagnosis then? I didn't ask, does anyone know?

She has met DD previously and will include her observations previously in the referral. Will this help in the assessment? She seemed to know what I would say before I said it because she knows DD. It made it very "real" i.e. its not me imagining it, someone else has confirmed that there is something worth investigating.

She also mentioned DD is the first in a long time she felt needed assessment, which didn't sound good. Do alot of children have their GP refuse to refer or was that her attempt at being reassuring?

Hmm I wouldn't expect a diagnosis from the pead before she is onward referred to ot. Your daughter sounds like my son but his pead has told me a dx is not clear cut as he does not fit perfectly in one dx. My son sounds worse than your dd so be per paired to see a few people before you get a dx as they may need the ot to asses ( or maybe not in your case)

Salt also told me people don't to dx dyspraxia ( why?!) I see the pead tomorrow!