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Referred for an NHS dyspraxia assessment, is it worth speeding things up with a private diagnosis?

6 replies

BangingOn · 17/07/2022 17:28

DS was referred for an NHS dyspraxia assessment by school 12 months ago, however the waiting lists are very long post-COVID and it could be another year before he is seen.

In the meantime, school have been brilliant and he has two group sessions a week focussing on gross motor skills and two individual learning support sessions focussing on fine motor skills, handwriting, improving his working memory and speech and language exercises. As school have been so on the ball I’d been fairly relaxed about him not having an assessment or diagnosis yet, but the SENCO has expressed that having a full assessment and diagnosis will allow them to tailor their approach more as they can follow the advice of the assessor and ensure they are fulfilling all of his needs.

I have looked online for private dyspraxia assessments but it is confusing. Dyspraxia UK are the obvious option but £865 seems expensive (or maybe it isn’t expensive? I only have the cost of dyslexia assessments to compare against so maybe I’m way out). Can any independent paediatric occupational therapist assess DS or do I need to look for membership of a particular body?

We are in the Midlands but willing to travel if anyone has a recommendation or any advice.

OP posts:
BangingOn · 19/07/2022 07:40

Hopeful bump.

OP posts:
zzhallk5 · 02/08/2022 21:19

Hiya, we had an assessment nr Stratford upon Avon by a private OT, can send you details if u pm me

PDAView · 03/08/2022 11:47

We had an OT assessment in the South East for £720 to give you an idea of cost. It was worth it, but still needed a paediatrician to sign off and formalise the diagnosis.

zzhallk5 · 03/08/2022 13:27

@PDAView was that via a community paeds referral? We are same, had OT assessment but now realising she's got attention/processing issues too so want a more cognitive type assessment but can't work out which route to go down.

PDAView · 03/08/2022 14:15

Developmental Paeds as he has ASD as well. Assessment was fairly comprehensive but focused on his sensory processing/physical ability. The OT signed off most of the DCD criteria but needed a Paediatrician to confirm one point

zzhallk5 · 03/08/2022 16:42

Thanks. think I'll get her a gp appt but probably gonna go private as such a long wait

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