Not Dyspraxia, but what???

[ohcomeALYefaithful]

I posted this on Behaviour/development but have had no replies, so not really SN (although could be her reaction to SN sibling or a form of Sensory Integration Disorder.) but please bear with me....

My DD is a poppet, but always been a little on the dreamy side [understatement icon]. Is very bright (scored 3's in Yr 2 SATs) but quite an anxious, overly 'responsible' child.

Recently had her assesed for Dyspraxia found to have some areas of concern but not a full profile, mostly has difficulties in the Sensory Integration Disorder areas. OT rec seeing an Ed Psch but am trying to find good one in local area.

One thing that she does that drives me bananas is that she picks things up and puts them in her mouth. Conversation usually goes me, "Darling what are you chewing?" Her, "A bit of fluff/stuff from my pocket/floor etc"

It is yucky and she doesn't seem to be very aware of what she is doing. She does seek stimuli (part of SID?) regularly touching/stroking things (and people!) when in shops.

Also she has started to become lazy (have difficulties?) with her speaking - saying M's as N's (I am Nummy) and several other letter sound confusions.

When she was nr 5 her DB was born with severe health and developmental problems, I cannot guage how much is 'her' and how much is a reaction to her sibling/not getting enough attention etc - HELP!

Any thoughts or experiences would be very welcome.

I am no expert at all, but it does sound like a really good OT could give some suggestions about the sensory stuff. There is also a book called "the out of synch child" which might have something useful in it. I am in Surrey and used a very good one called Theresa Siesun if you are anywhere near (I think she takes on private work). And a good speech therapist would work on the sounds. But don't blame yourself, or let people tell you it's because of her DB's issues. I think kids are more robust than we think and if they have an SEN sibling (as my DD has) then that sort of becomes their norm and they don't think anything much of it. But I know it is worrying - for what it's worth, my DD couldn't say g or d earlier on, but now is fine after a bit of speech therapy. Maybe your DD is just very tactile?

where abouts are you???

I am in West Kent.

I also meant to add Thank you aquarius.

The OT did give some useful suggestions about where she should sit in class, some exercises she should do, that she should be given the opportunity to hand out books etc in class to give her learning breaks and help keep her stimulated/interested (otherwise she fidgets to keep herself 'awake') she shouldn't sit nr window, door, walkways etc.

They also said she finds the world around her very confusing and is socially very vulnerable with her peers and adults (possibly she is so eager to please will do anything she is told to) she has been bullied at school which would bear this out.

But I should blardy well think so for £400 - they saw me coming! But what they didn't tell me before I spent my money was that they cannot diagnose anything!! All they can do is advise and make suggestions, they are suggesting eye test (Thurs am) and Ed Psych.

Any DX can only be done by GP or consultant, so am getting GP to refer us to the NHS join OT and Ed Physc children's clinic - she may get seen shortly before her 10th birthday!