Ds ( 9) 0T report back- 0.1 motor skills.

[missmapp]

So, after months of waiting and constant phoning, Ds's OT visited his school and handed over the report . He is on the 0.1st percentile for motor skills. They say this means he meets the criteria for a diagnosis of dyspraxia, but needs to go to the community paediatrician for neurological assessment.

When Ds1 had this ( he was on the 5th percentile for motor skills) , he was referred for ASD assessment. DS2 is lovely but has processing issues and can get angry/frustrated at home when he doesn't understand things. He has Noonans syndrome - not sure if that has any bearing.

Not sure why I am posting really- just wondering what happens now. illy, I know as Ds1 has been through this, but he wasn't diagnosed with dsypraxia , and it appears that ds2 will be. I just want the right support for him, wish I could help him more

Sorry, I am rambling .HMI are in my school tomorrow so I've had a night of data , shouldn't post but it is worrying me.

Ignore, just needed to wirte !

I know

Ds1 had this. We saw an OT, and then the community paedriatrician (consultant) checked that there were no neurological issues causing the motor skills deficit (ie brain tumour, diabetes, iron deficiency that sort of thing..I think they did a urine test or a blood test and checked his general health over, and asked him a few friendly questions) It was just a confirmation really of the OT report, but as it is a medical diagnosis the OT themselves cannot diagnose.

Next school had the report, and it meant they made a few more allowances for poor presentation, poor social communication, encouraged him more with PE (ie if he was last they didn't saw hurry up slowcoach [!]) and generally were a bit more understanding. We also saw a clinic OT for parent and child sessions, and got a long list of motor skills exercises to strengthen various bits of him. Also encouraged to get him to learn to touch type..however his handwriting is not bad and quite fast,just a bit scrunched.

Dyspraxia has very affected ds's life, but he wouldn't be the ds I know without it; he is warm funny, quite shy, very musical, quite literal at times, and often quite emotional. School work has been a bit of a trial, so I think if you can simultaneously make allowances for him, AND get him into the habit of reading and concentrating softly softly style rather than bootcamp, you will be doing the right thing.

Oh and chewing. Ds does a lot of chewing, less now that he is 16, but the OT said that it was good for him to chew, carrot sticks, straws, rubbers and suck (water glass with straw) all helped concentration if you are dyspraxic.

Also music and sport always benefited ds a lot, even if he is not good at sport it is worth making it a pleasure for him. Ds is good at stamina type things, walking.

Socially I would say he is about two years behind his peers in coolness, but he is getting there. I think again you have to allow for that, and encourage him rather than think he has failed if he doesn't "get it" straightaway. Ds is very shy but not anxious, which is a nice quality, he is actually quite placid and calm and sensible about life.

Ds is very literal and that makes him get angry when he thinks he is right and you are wrong. An example might be me suggesting he go to see Glass Menagerie (play) because he is studying Tennessee Williams for A level and him saying, no I am doing Streetcar not Glass M, so why do I need to see it? Also going on for a long time about various interests, in his case he loves talking about films and drama series. Another friend's son (now at uni) talks non-stop about politics in a knowledgeable and interesting way, but still it is a quite intense interest.

Ds2 has HFA and really they couldn't be more different, ds1 is much more aware of other people's needs and yet much more guarded. He comes across as very polite and laid back compared to ds2. But knowing ds2 has also helped me understand ds1 and some of his challenges in a context.

HTH!

It's hard emotionally going through the diagnostic process, don't feel bad for feeling worried, it is very natural. My DS was diagnosed with AS and dyspraxia aged 7, he is now 13 and doing well. It does impact him in all sorts of ways, coordination, strength, concentration, and the bloody chewing. And yes to being about 2 years behind in coolness.

Has the OT got a programme of exercises for him and are his school supporting him in doing them at school? Also has the OT recommended any classroom support measures like writing aids, seating or similar? None of these need a formal diagnosis, they can be happening while you wait for the paediatrician. Perhaps next week make an appointment with the school SENCO to talk things over.

Hi all, Thank you so much for our responses. Sorry I didn't check back in earlier, my computer has been playing up recently.

knittingwithneetles, thank you for your response, the details of the follow up community paed apt and the issues your ds has had ( and the positives) . DS2 has lsow processing skills , he isn't a chewer ( ds1 is !) but is a fiddler and constantly squirming when sitting. School have been great and set up lots of interventions/support.

Whoknows- A good idea to meet with the SENCO- she is new and different to the wonderful one who put the referral in, but I do need to get to know her.

Ds1 has his ASD assessment sessions next week, more appointment s!

Again, lovely to read your responses . I felt a bit alone as all my friends seem to have uncomplicated children I love mine because of their complications and I need to remember that without them they wouldn't be the fab people they are !

just adding one more thing in case it is relevant. Ds1 has just been diagnosed with Vitamin D deficiency (he is 16) Now I'm sure he wasn't always deficient/insufficient as he always was outside a lot as a child, nice tan etc, but the current deficiency has exaggerated a lot of his symptoms, lethargy, demotivated, emotionally labile, so I advise you to get his blood tested. It is a very easy thing to miss, and seems to especially affect those who are less good at sport or shy, because they literally are not outside to get the essential sunlight in the summer months when it is available. Do check! I didn't bother, and I'm kicking myself now. I knew he wasn't iron deficient or B12 deficient because he eats a varied and substantial diet, but had no idea how low his vitamin D levels were (25 mol)

Will check that out, thank you . he is out and about in the summer, but not all year round, so could easily be low.

You can only make Vitamin D in the summer in northern latitudes!