Learning support in school - dyspraxia

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DD (age 8) is undergoing assessment for dyspraxia and dysgraphia - she has an appointment with the occupational therapist next week (hurray!)

I first mentioned my concerns to her teachers in September 2012 (poor pencil grip), nothing was done, so I mentioned again in April 2013 (poor handwriting) and the learning support teacher had a look, and said yes, definitely some issues. Asked again in October 2013 (dyspraxia symptoms), and managed to get a referral to a paediatrician.

During this time however, she has not actually had any learning support in school. They have given her a writing slope (that was lying around) and put her on a waiting list to be assessed for using a laptop - nothing has come of this. I have asked for her to use her iPad in class, but she is not allowed. Her last teacher suggested I help her with joined up writing, which I have done, and the learning support teacher told me some activities she could do - swimming, horse riding etc etc. She has had about 6 sessions with the learning support teacher (doing numeracy....) and a parent helped her with her handwriting for a couple of weeks last term, but told her not to do joined up writing any more.

We've had enough - she is moving schools in the summer (10 weeks and counting), but I am curious as to what she should have had with regards to learning support. In dd's school, learning support seems to be for the kids who have gaps in their education - a couple of kids missed some stuff because they were abroad for a year or so, another one is youngest in class so not so good at comprehension..... Fair enough, but I can't get my head around why my dd gets nothing. She is not disruptive, an excellent reader and intelligent, but is unable to express herself through writing, and is now slipping back.

Sorry for the essay - thoughts about what learning support she should get would be appreciated....

My ds1 (8) is permitted to type, and we taught him to touch type at home, but often in reality we find that the task they set is a work sheet, and he has to fill it in by hand .

I think in theory, your dd really should be getting help with writing, either using a laptop or ipad to record, or having someone to scribe for her, or a mixture. Once she has a formal diagnosis, you may find it easier to push for typing instead of handwriting, if recommended by the OT. The reality is that if her progress overall is ok at school, the teachers are likely to overlook her needs. I've had a lot of 'well, he's average and he's progressing, so what's your problem' type attitudes from teachers.

I guess you'll find out from the OT, but does she also have issues with sitting still and concentrating? That can go alongside dyspraxia. Just so you know, my ds is supposed to get movement breaks every 20 mins, where he pops outside the classroom and walks down the corridor for a couple of mins. Makes a massive difference, but his teachers keep forgetting to let him do it . Just to give you an idea of the sort of intervention it should be reasonable to expect.

thanks vorpent - yes, she can't sit still! And whilst some of her work is in worksheets, there is plenty that isn't....

I've given up with this school really, but I will take your advice with me for the next one. Movement breaks are a great idea and I know she can use a lap top there, so hopefully with some back up from OT things should improve.

The class has a lot of disruptive boys who I feel take all the teacher's time, so she is ignored really. Think she is a bit unlucky in that respect, but still not good enough

Can i recommend this book, recommended by lots of wonderful mnetters on here: 'The Out of Sync Child'? I found that there's a whole area of Sensory Processing Disorder, which tends to go along with dyspraxia. Wish I'd known about it all a lot sooner. Explained a lot.

Don't know if this would apply to your DD, but the OT pointed out to us that DS requires deep pressure input to calm him. We're talking bear hugs, carrying a bit of extra weight in a backpack on the walk to school, lifting heavy things in general... If you've noticed she likes to pick things up and swing them round, like school bags, sticks, that kind of thing, she might be seeking out deep pressure on her muscles. Of if she's very fond of bear hugs, and very cuddly or tactile in general. If you google it, I'm sure you'd get a better explanation than I can give!