Dyspraxia - who diagnoses?

[dustyphoenix]

Hi all

We have had a recommendation from the EP for a dyspraxia assessment for DS (7). It's possible the school can do it via the school nurse, but TBH I'd rather organise it myself as I can chase it properly (and already have enough things to be communicating with the school on).

Is it a visit to the GP jobby to ask for a referral? And who after that? A paedeatrician or the OT?

An OT.

That's what I thought, but spoke to OT (who assessed for previous sensory issues) and they don't diagnose, only assess and treat symptoms.

It needs to be a doctor - so usually developmental or community paediatrician, who will diagnose based on OT assessments and reports.

No, the paediatrician referred DD to an OT - who then referred DD for physio. The letter for the first physio appointment contained a leaflet for the Dyspraxia Foundation. That was how we got the diagnosis. It never came from the paediatrician to us verbally or in writing.

We had DD comprehensively assessed by an OT privately at every phase transfer. She was on the 1st percentile on every subtest they did. The LA and the Tribunal never questioned the OT’s reports.

Going through this with my son who
is 4. I would go to gp and health visitor for a referral. The more referrals the better, and I have been told the health visitor sometimes tends to put stronger ones in as they have a bit more time for this sort of thing and are the natural first point of call.

Thanks all, this is really helpful. Am going to speak to the school nurse this week who will hopefully be able to make a referral.

We went -
Me armed with a school concern form to the GP
GP referred to paediatrician
Paeds referred to OT for assessment
OT reported assessment back to paeds who officially diagnosed her
Report sent back to GP
Left to just bloody well get on with it

Approx 8-9 months later the OT report appeared after the school SENCO had hit the point of phoning them every bloody day to chase it up and scared them into submission!