Talking to my son about Dyspraxia

[Dannygirl]

Just looking for any words of wisdom or tips for talking to my son about Dyspraxia - he has recently been diagnosed aged 7 (it's primarily gross and fine motor skills delay). He has started to notice being 'different' and was upset when some children told him he was slow so I think it would help him to know it's not his 'fault'. I have bought a couple of books aimed at children from the Dyspraxia Foundation and whilst they are helpful for us as parents we don't feel they are quite right for him. Any tips from others who have been through this specifically to help us talk to him positively about his difficulties? Thanks in advance

My ds is dyslexic-dyspraxic. The main thing was concentrating on the things that he was good at and running with his enthusiasms. And saying things like being kind and generous and caring were far more important than being able to hold a pencil. dh was great pointing out that the only times he wrote from one week to the next was to sign his name at the bottom of letters - and that is illegible!

We got him used to the idea that everyone is different and that everyone has their spread of strengths and weaknesses. and his weaknesses were NOT HIS FAULT any more than me being a wheelchair user was my fault.

We got him quite robust in rebuffing everything from thoughtless observations to cruel taunts. 'Yeah I'm dyspraxic, right, do you have a problem with that?' and 'Do you think it makes you cool to have a go at someone's disability'. It took a while. By secondary school he was quite happy to laugh at himself when he mis-spelt his own name.

There are masses of dyspraxic folk out there living perfectly happy lives and laptops and keyboards are a great way to get through school.

Hope this helps

Ds is blissfully unaware he's different. He does realise he can't do things. He was dx at five.

I drop feed him, ot is the bendy lady about his bendy body. He's still oblivious

It's my eldest that needs the chats. Lots of "no one is good at everything" chats. It's gets through slowly.

I wish I could just explain to both it's ok but in truth it's a ongoing process.

I went to a talk by a adult dyspraxic. It was amazing. He said he hadn't picked up a pen since he was 16. I was in awe of him. He was very "I'm dyspraxic but so what" I never write, I never ride a bike. It doesn't matter in this day and age. The rest we work on but it's never going to be perfect - does it matter?