Dyspraxia: What next?

[bluenoir]

Brief history: after always been slow to hit motor skills milestones, when my son started school his teachers also flagged it so finally the GP referred us to an occupational therapist. The OT announced that she didn't diagnose but assessed DS and sent us a report and some exercises. He scored on the 0.5 percentile, before five is "at risk" and it was also noted his fingers are hyper mobile.

So I spoke to GP and was told to book an appointment and bring in all his history and reports so they would refer to paediatrics for a diagnosis.

GP appointment cane round and GP said that from the report alone DS now has a dyspraxia diagnosis, school are "aware" because the letter from OT was sent to them too but that he thinks it unlikely paeds will want to even see DS.

Advise was to buy adaptive equipment (which he already uses) and carry on with exercises (which he struggles with).

And that's that...

What the funk do I do? DS is only 5 so needs to learn how to write but equally he is going to struggle to do more than a few words, his fingers are like jelly and whilst his letter formation is lovely it's huge and all over the place.

I'm happy to throw money and time at the situation but how and where? I don't want DS to ever realise he struggles.

Hi bluenoir

My DD was diagnosed with dyspraxia when she was 8, and is being seen by a paediatrician, so i would push for a referral. We had some general OT sessions for her to do with basic skills such as using cutlery, and then we had some additional specialist OT therapy specifically aimed at handwriting, helping with the formation of letters, and graduation of force when holding a pencil.

With regards to exercises I know the frustration, although my DD did enjoy using a peg board as she found that fun rather than an exercise as such, and we bought some theraputty which she absolutely loved to bits.

You can't stop DS from realising that he struggles, and actually from my experience, getting my DD to realise that she is struggling and having breaks when writing (OT recommendation) actually helps her to then come back to the task better able to complete it, as continuing to write just makes the handwriting worse, and in her words - "it hurts".

The school should be able to put measures in place going forwards with regards to any specific OT recommendations, but equally, this isn't an unusual diagnosis so they should have strategies they can put in place to support your DS as he progresses through school, although from my experience, you do sometimes have to fight for them (although that could just be my experience and not the norm!)

Hi, I just came on to look for any tips re DCD/dyspraxia, my son aged 6 (y2) was diagnosed yesterday. Problems from pre-school but it has taken this long to get a diagnosis. Unfortunately it doesn't look like there's a clear path of support out there. Are you in touch with the SENCO at school? I'd ask for a meeting with class teacher and SENCO to put a plan in place for how he'll be supported at school if you don't already have that. You should also have some OT support. SENCO can re-refer you if they've discharged after diagnosis. Have they been to observe him in school and advise school?

My DS has had input from OT since reception, hasn't been that in depth bu they have given tips on supporting handwriting and equipment (sloping surface, pencil grip holder, desk which ensures feet are flat on floor). They also spoke to us yesterday about getting him a cushion to sit on at carpet time which wobbles a bit to give sensory feedback.

Think we're in a similar situation where we'd be willing to pay for support but it's not really clear what would be the best support for him. School loaned us a a book - Developmental Dyspraxia, Madeleine Portwood which suggests doing a program to improve gross motor skills helps development of fine motor skills. However, OT yesterday said that this wasn't the case.

Let me know how you get on, maybe we can share ideas?

Thanks Throgglesprocket, hadn't seen your post before posting mine! Haven't come across theraputty or a pegboard so will have a look at those.

My DS is also now aware of some differences between himself and other kids, particularly that he's slower and running/walking/climbing and that writing is harder for him. We have taken the approach of being open that yes he does struggle more with some things but also that he has other things he is good at and everyone has strengths and things they find more difficult. WE do worry about bullying as he gets older, he does get called names sometimes now related to his difficulties but in general he does have friends and is usually happy to go to school. We have just asked teacher to keep an eye on that side of things and encouraged us to talk to us if he is upset about anything.

Thank you @Throgglesprocket we have parents evening next month so I will raise it with his teacher and see if we can sit down with SENCO. It's great we have a diagnosis so young but also it's so early in his school career that it's probably hard to know what school should put in place.

What sort of peg board do you mean? I don't have one! We have wooden pegs and therapy putty, pencil grips, writing slopes, he sits in a chair with a footrest at table to stop him falling off, I've ordered giant tweezers, we have wobble/balance boards, adaptive cutlery... the list goes on.

I have a parents OT session next month too.

Just to add hopefully I should hear back from GP about paediatrician early next week.

Hi @bluenoir the pegboard is something like this one www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Children-Puzzle-Peg-Board-With-296-Pegs-Educational-Toys-Set-For-Kids-Xmas-Gifts/143371435465? different sized pegs to help with motor skills.

Another thing that was recommended was using tweezers to put beads/pegs etc in and out of theraputty/playdoh, although I have to admit I haven't done that one much, and I am now an absolute ace at getting theraputty out of clothes!

I've just bought something called Squigz which is a silicon suck construction toy, definitely seems like something DS would "play" with which is half the battle!

How do you get Theraputty out of clothes?! Little sister got hold of it and it's everywhere in the playroom 😳

Out of clothes is easy - WD40 and a toothbrush, followed by washing up liquid, and then throw in the washing machine. It will also work on rugs etc, but obviously not so easy to throw those in the washing machine!

The smell of the WD40 is the worst, and it does take a lot of patience, but I've managed to salvage school uniforms, cushions and quilts without any evidence remaining.

Dyspraxia Foundation has a good website with ideas for activities and support at different age groups. To strengthen fingers, try play dough and finger exercises such as touching each to thumb in turn. Also worth trying an angled slope to write on with a soft surface (filled A4 file turned sideways) to reduce fatigue from over pressure on pencil and check posture with well supported seating and feet flat on the floor.