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Advice re: 3 yo please - ?dyspraxia ?other

4 replies

W1bbleW0bble · 11/09/2023 21:21

DS is 3 years 2 months.

Going back, he screamed constantly as a newborn. Only stopped when bounced vigorously in a pitch black room with loud white noise. Found no comfort being held and screamed solidly being worn in a sling. Lots of struggles with breastfeeding latch. Woke hourly until over 1. Dropped all naps before 2. Became a baby then a toddler who craved lots of stimulation but easily became very overstimulated and overwhelmed.

He never crawled or bum shuffled, he was completely immobile until the age of 1 when he started cruising if propped against furniture. Walked between furniture at 17 months. Got himself off the floor at 22 months. Finally crawled at over 2. Currently he cannot climb a simple ladder and is completely clueless on a scooter or a balance bike. Still prone to falling over. Cannot go up and down stairs without crawling. Very low tolerance to walking. No idea how to dress himself. Gets very stressed out by toys.

He has exceptionally advanced speech and an advanced sense of humour. Very popular at nursery. The staff say ‘he is unique…different…a character’ but haven’t made mention of ND. Lots of big emotions at home, both positive and negative. Is a flight risk into the nearest dangerous thing (the road, an open window) when upset. Holds it together at nursery more but can be explosive. Not at all tactile when upset. Hits if hugged or kissed. Will however tell me he loves me.

Does this sound like dyspraxia or something else? My mother and I are both diagnosed with purely motor dyspraxia so all of the other stuff is new to me. I’m not sure if we should be looking into this more or just continue letting it play out. He’s a summer born due to start school next year and I’m so anxious for how he will cope.

OP posts:
OvertakenByLego · 11/09/2023 21:28

It does sound like a physio &/or OT assessment would be beneficial. Has DS already had either of these? What does the HV say?

W1bbleW0bble · 11/09/2023 21:39

Thank you. I’ve been looking at OT privately over the last few weeks so I’m glad you are in agreement. Previously, DH thought I was being too hyper alert due to my dyspraxia (which doesn’t affect me too much as far as DH is concerned. I have to plan things out a lot, I get easily overwhelmed and spatial awareness is lacking but I have lots of friends, a great degree and job - for those not up on ND I can understand why I appear ‘okay’) alongside the fact nursery don’t have concerns beyond ‘he’s slow with fine and gross motor’. DH is coming round to a private assessment more though as things are becoming more difficult, not better, as the weeks pass.

As he is ‘just’ within range for gross motor (although not any more re: crawling up the stairs), his speech has been so phenomenal and his emotional behaviour is still within the realms of normal for a 2 to 3 year old, the community team were happy to keep observing. If it wasn’t school next year I suppose I might be too.

OP posts:
OvertakenByLego · 11/09/2023 21:43

I don’t think you are overreacting or hyper alert. I think you should pursue an OT &/or physio. After all if the assessment doesn’t highlight anything that is OK, but at least you haven’t missed anything that you later regret not seeking an assessment for now. If you wanted to go the NHS route you may be able to self refer, but if not I would definitely push for referrals.

BusMumsHoliday · 12/09/2023 00:18

I'm not sure if it's a route in every area, but our nursery referred us to NHS OT. If they agree he's "slow in fine and gross motor" that should be enough for them to make the referral.

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