Tips & suggestions for Dyspraxic 9 y.o.

[HeggityHag]

We have yet to get a formal diagnosis but pretty much all the criteria fit DS. We are not expecting much help from school SENCO and the funding and wait lists in our area are dire, meaning that only the most severe of cases gets help. We are therefore not holding our breath for help.

Therefore what I can do to help DS? Exercises, apps, games etc etc???

I would say his fine motor schools are worse than his gross motor skills. Things like getting dressed, doing shoe laces, using a knife and fork are difficult for him. He can eventually do it but only with a lot of help and cajoling and even then he sometimes struggles. He clearly finds it far harder than his siblings to do these sorts of things and he tends to be very clumsy.

His handwriting used to be terrible but after a lot of work at home it has improved considerably but still not really comparable to his peers and he struggles with things like spacing words properly.

His working memory is poor and he finds it hard to sit or stand still. He seems hyperactive at times. He was thought to have ADHD but that now seems to have been ruled out.

What can we do to help him?

We will likely at some point go private, but for various reasons we want to hold off that route for a while longer.

anyone? please.

The SEN boards are very quiet. Which is shame as most of the original posters are still on Mumsnet. If your out there, please do your bit and support new parents who have newly diagnosed children as we did for you!

Anyway...

• I will do private Occupational Therapy. They would also support regulation... handwriting etc.

-Therapeutic listening also done by an OT. Get an EHCP for your child. ---- - Apples and pears are amazing. They have a reading and a spelling programme. They are catered towards Dyslexic children but their strategies work for any child who is struggling. . Kindle Fire. Audio books .Handwriting without tears is another great book on handwriting. .

Thanks so much for posting Secular39, I really appreciate the support. It all seems very overwhelming at the moment.

I've just looked up the apples and pears spelling programme and it looks really interesting. I am keen for DS to practise his spelling and it looks like this is something we could do to simultaneously work on his handwriting and spelling.

For handwriting, would you recommend using ordinary lined paper, or special handwriting paper with the guidelines? We've generally been using the latter, but I did note that the Magic Link handwriting programme recommends normal lined paper, so wondered if I should be using that instead?

About getting an EHCP - would DS qualify if it is only mild SEN? Unfortunately in my area, lack of funding is a big problem. I did hear from another local mother with a SEN child that help is only available if your child is 3-4 years behind, so her DS has received little help and no EHCP. Would DS be likely to be get an EHCP if it's only mild SEN?

Cutlery.
Look at Kuracare paediatric or adult caring cutlery, it depends how big his hands are right now. Google for the best price, they vary enormously and also check if P+P is included.
It has fatter than usual handles and indents where his index finger will go. It also does not look like a disability aid.

Give him extra time to do tasks he struggles with, don't fluster him by chivvying him along.

Posture is important as is core strength. Can you find a cheap writing slope (thin plastic ones are economical), a knobbly wedge cushion and and something to balance his feet on if they don't touch the floor if he sits at a table or desk to write and draw?

Look at things like this so you get a good idea of how he should sit.
thebodyposture.com/sitting-positions-for-good-posture/

Can you self- refer to a paediatric OT? They can advise on loads of stuff to help him, exercises and aids. They can also check if he's hypermobile, many dyspraxics are. They can help with handwriting, advise on different grips to hold a pen/pencil. e.g www.cheapdisabilityaids.co.uk/pencil-grips-92-c.asp
How tight he holds it, how flexibly he can move it, if it makes his hand cramp or sore, if he'll need extra time in exams or a laptop instead.

Shoelaces, get Velcro everyday shoes or if not, buy special no-tie laces, loads of types online.

My DD had all of this on the NHS but that was 15 or more years ago, you may need a private OT.

66fit have a lot of products, not specifically for Dyspraxia, but things that can help and are very reasonably priced.
e.g for hands 66fit.co.uk/collections/hand-exercise-therapy
for balance 66fit.co.uk/collections/balance-training

That should give you some ideas.

We never did the EHCP, but as a parent I can assure you, you need to fight for every little thing to help your son.
Whatever you are applying for, you'll be fobbed off, sometimes repeatedly, but you have to stand firm and literally fight for his needs to be met. If you don't, he'll get nothing. It's horrible, but that's how the system is set up.

'Mild' SEN isn't a good term to use, especially when discussing your son's needs, you will be fobbed off. Keep in mind, that to be diagnosed with any level of SEN, it has to impact a child significantly.

OP, I think you should apply for an EHCP. It doesn't matter how "mild" the SEN. What you do not want is the "mild" SEN to turn into something big! Unless you can afford private OT that can come in four times a week and you can get a private dyslexia tutor to come to support your DS twice a week-- then don't do the EHCP in this instance.

Handwriting (as well as weak fine motor skills) can become a barrier as your son moves up the years at school...especially for speed, expecting to write longer sentences/ paragraphs. I think if you can get a private OT now for your Son that would be excellent whilst rolling out applying for the EHCP

Thanks so much for all of the very helpful suggestions and comments. Quite a lot to think about here and some really useful links. The comments on EHCPs were really helpful. Perhaps I have been too quick to rule out an EHCP and will look more into this.

Thanks so much for taking the time to post. It's been very stressful navigating this and the lack of help and guidance available has been so disappointing, so it's really good to hear from those who have been through it.