Think dd might have dyspraxia, any thoughts?

[dozydizzy]

My DD is 6 and has had certain difficulties since birth. She has always been 'clumsy', knocking into things, standing on things, fiddling with things. She finds it so difficult to sit still and struggles at school because of this. She is always chewing things or sucking her thumb, obviously needing something in her mouth, which again causes problems at school, with her work getting ruined, chewing up pencils etc, her teacher says her fine motor skills are underdeveloped, although she is bright and doing well academically (apart from handwriting). She can often be hyperactive and difficult to contain, bouncing around constantly, getting overly excitable and other children often find her too much which is heartbreaking. She struggles to make friends and always 'invades space' iykwim. She takes things very literally, gets very scared by stories/films to the extent we have to remove her/switch it off etc, doesn't always seem to grasp the difference between fiction and reality. She struggles with coordination in PE etc, she goes dancing but takes so much longer than the other girls to pick up the most simple moves, and is unable to keep to any kind of rhythm, but she enjoys it so it's good for her. She can't for eg bang a tambourine/drum in any rhythmic way. She takes a long time to get changed from PE.

OK could go on and on but will not bore you any more. I'd really like to hear from anyone with experience of dyspraxia, she seems to fit many of the symptoms but not quite all. I have asked her teacher who has said she would be reluctant to label her, but others eg her dance teacher have said to me 'there is obviously something wrong' (which I found pretty hard to take, not a good way of putting it I think!)

At the moment her work is ok but her social skills are poor and I am worried if we don't find some kind of answer it will cause more problems.

By the way, when she was born she was starved of oxygen and didn't breathe for a few minutes, also I was on heavy meds (steroids, antib's,) when pg with her, don't know if these factors could have made any difference.

Thanks for reading.

Hello dozzy dizzy

I am able to say if she might have this or not but i have a son who is pretty much the same and his farther suffers from dyspraxia so it has been the my main thinking for my own son who is 4. Like your daughter he has his hands/clothes in his mouth all the time anything comes back chewed up! Thought i could offer some support in a way to you. Dypraxia is very hard to diagnose and i dont think they have to fit every symptom exactly.

I would definitely ask to be referred to a developmental paed. just to see if there is anything going on.

They will be able to look into things further for you.

I have been to a course today on Developmental coordination disorder (which is what they are trying to 'rename' dyspraxia ) and it sounds like it would be worth looking into.
If you are in Northern England todays speaker was Lois Addy and she is based at York University (OT/lecturer specialising in DCD) and was a fantastic speaker , well worth going to.She still sees some children in Yorkshire areas.

It's possible. Why not ask for a paed referral?

My DD1 is dyspraxic. But her father, paternal uncle and grandfather are, too, so when she began presenting with gross motor skills delays at her 8 month check up, it was flagged up right away.

She is only 3.9 now, but she is receiving treatment and we are beginning the DLA process.

Paed thinks she may have other learning disabilities, but this remains to be seen as she grows.

She has very good social skills, but a lot of problems with motor skills and learning some things.

Thanks for your replies. I think I will take her to my gp and ask for a referral, best to know. nikkie, interesting to know they are renaming it, the course sounds good. Not in North unfortunately, but will look out.

Hi Dozydizy! I would also recommend you have her refered. My ds2(he is 8 in Aug) has DCD, and from what you have mentioned your dd is showing some signs of this also. MY ds2 is now statemented & also receives regualar physio & OT at school. I am sure he had some sort of behavioural disorder, which i am going to bring up at the next meeting.
Since he has received the support(e.g. physio & OT) it has helped alot. DOn't get me wrong, he still struggles with things but it has certaily helped him. He has also anaphylaxis to peanuts, so i have my handsful thats for sure. It is true, you do have to push t get things done and looked in to. Good luck.

The cp, also told me that they have renamed it from Dyspraxia to DCD, however my son knows it as dyspraxia & this is what he refers it to. Ppl generally dont realise they are the same thing i have found.

The change in title is to separate the diagosis of children who have DCD/Dyspraxia without any other condition, from those who have the overlap with ASD, ADHD, communication disorders etc. Its all just words really - every child with features of this will present differently.

Best thing is to speak to GP, and see what sort of assessment your area offers.

Yes true Fubsy. My son shows some signs of dyspraxia but not enough to diagnose it. He has been diagnosed with DCD. But basically the same thing, just depends on the extent of it.

In my experience, its almost like a spectrum, although ive never heard it described as such.

For some children its a bit of an inconvenience, that sorts itself out with a bit of therapy, for others it can be extremely disabling. I think this is why its so difficult to get DCD children statemented - people have preconceived ideas about what it means.

Have you any children Fusby with DCD or are you a professional? I total agree with what you say. I am fortunate enough to have my ds2 statemented and with OT and PT (some SP) this will help him and is. He has just been provided with grips for his handwriting and already a vast improvement. So that is great. But ppl can still have DCD & not show all the signs but be quite severe with it, if you know what i mean? I hope i have explained myself clearly enough & not confused anyone.

Chidren's physio, Julia. I see a lot of children with dyspraxia and the overlapping conditions, so Ive become quite interested in it, especially now that DD is at primary school and Im getting to understand the educational system more.

I wish we could work more closely with education than we do now, because so much of the stuff we take children out of school to do, could be done within the curriculaum in school, if there was the planning and cooperation beforehand.

I know some schools that are really keen, but others seem resistant, and I expect its the same all over the country.

Fubsy, v interesting what you say about it being more of a spectrum etc. My dd definately shows signs but is prob on the 'lower end' so would poss not get much help....am going to take her to the gp but still not sure whether it will be taken any further. but good to hear all your thoughts, and I know I'm not being over the top about this, she really does have difficulties.
She also has significant hearing probs, we are seeing the consultant about this next week as she had grommets about a month ago and one fell out the next week. This def has effects on her behaviour too.

Get your GP to refer! Every time I go to onserve a child doing PE as part of their assessment theres at least one other child there with similar difficulties who hasnt been referred to anyone.

Most physio and OT depts will only take referrals from Drs, so schools dont know how to get round that.

Simple answer - get the school nurse to have a word with childs GP (with parents permission of course!) or ask the parents to go to the GP.