Appalling handwriting dyspraxic 10yr old

[northernlites]

My DS is doing his best but his writing is truly awful.
He absolutely hates writing
he has the diagnoses of DCD, APD and awaiting VPD assessment which they suspect is probable. He has struggled with writing since Yr1, repeatedly punished for not finishing work. He struggles to concentrate, distracted by noise and so on, he has IEP in place since Yr 2*
*
He has had physio, OT, Ed psych etc... school are committed to support but we are not in school til September. We have lost ground and falling behind.
I am becoming increasingly concerned he impact this will have as high school approaches, SATS, and it's the foundation for so much going forward.

He is by no means illiterate, his vocabulary is near 90th centile, maths above average and so on, it's just getting it on paper.

Anyway my question is what have you done in similar circumstances?
Has anyone used a handwriting tutor?
Can anyone give me hope?

@northernlites Has your son been given the option of using a laptop or having a scribe in lessons to help him with notes? These are all reasonable adjustments under the Equality Act that can very easily be made. Your son has a diagnosis and should not be punished for poor handwriting. This should absolutely not be happening! What he needs is understanding and the correct supports in place.
Does your son need more support? He could be eligible for an EHC.

Check out bdadyslexia.org.uk for a comprehensive list of reasonable adjustments in school. Also your son can have reasonable adjustments in exams as well.
Just please stop the school taking the punishment approach. That is totally unacceptable! 😠

@Niffler75 they have made some reasonable adjustments, so he gets a scribe but not all the time, he has access to laptop and iPad but I dont think this is all the time, they have taught him some touch typing, but his hands and wrists get tired doing this also.
Fortunately they stopped punishing him for his writing, he has on the odd occasion been kept in but my DS says it was his own choice

They were about to get in a special tutor for a couple of hours a week for his handwriting but then covid happened.

He was also trialling some hearing aids to enhance the teachers voice and cancel noise, so that's on hold.

I just feel in limbo and lost with it all 😞

The school have said no for EHCP, they said he won't qualify? So I know they wouldn't support me

You as a parent can apply for an EHC yourself. It is not up to schools to say that a child won't be eligible. It does involve extra cost for them so some schools try to avoid applying.
The support needs to be very consistent, hence why I asked about an EHC. Does he currently have OT input? Also notes for lessons could be prepared for him so he does not get behind.
For more info on EHC have a look at Special Needs Jungle, Ipsea and SOS SEN.
It's hard ((hugs)).
My son was terribly let down by the education system! We are only just getting the support we need after a fight! 😣

I tried to write this earlier but it crashed.
We used Handwriting without Tears for my similar DCD son aged 8.

We got the books from Sensational Kids in Ireland (they are American but they are really the best as the forms for each letter are so simple and easy to remember - research shows that above the age of about 6, you need this type of pattern to remember each letter.

He uses Clicker 7 (you can input word banks to limit the typing) at home, it's on his EHCP and we're trying to get it used more at school.

We also use SnapType (an app) to scan worksheets (again just started at home and trying to get it used more at school).

We are waiting for other things from the OT (he's supposed to have 6 week sessions every half term from the OT but has had nothing since November or even since EHCP finalised in May).

(Like 85% of children with DCD he also has ADHD).

@Niffler75 I do wonder if they are putting up a brick wall/ stalling me/ they appear to be supporting but then this was a flat no for the EHC. But if it costs them more then maybe that's why. I thought the EHC gave the school more resources enabling them to implement the EHC?

It's a minefield, thank you for the advice on links
I will take a look

@drspouse thanks for the resource recommendations I will take a look,
I'm wondering about a tutor, things are so bad with the writing, but it would have to be some one with SEN experience

If a child has the EHC they tend to have to put in their "notional SEND" amount as well as the LEA amount. And if it's poorly written the LEA get away without paying for stuff.

But also they have to, you know, write the thing and do admin!

I agree with @drspouse. Take a good look at what your son could be entitled to and get some advice from one of the above organisations.
@northernlites I find being a SEND parent it is sadly a case of those that shout the loudest and know their rights get the resources! But it shouldn't be that way! 🥺