Experience of child with dyspraxia/DCD

[Snowdrop80]

DS is an amazing 5 year old however has always struggled with certain things. I knew something wasn’t right and he had significant development delays as a baby (was like a giant newborn at 11 months, couldn’t sit up or roll etc). He eventually caught up and was discharged by his consultant at age 2.

He started mainstream school in September and they flagged their concerns straight away. Submitted the referral for a possible ASD diagnosis but we’ll be waiting ages for that. They also said they think he is dyspraxic, which I had never heard of, so visited the GP who referred him and he’s having an assessment at the end of this month at hospital.

Now I’m wondering if he isn’t autistic and just has dyspraxia, or has both? Is there often an overlap in symptoms? I’m trying to do research but it’s just a minefield. These are the concerns:

• Can’t run in a straight line. Hardly has any balance. Falls over all the time.
• Struggles with anything that requires co ordination, can’t get himself going on a swing, can’t ride a bike, isn’t able to learn to swim, struggles with using cutlery and is spoon fed at school.
• Can’t hop, skip, throw/catch a ball. Is ok with jumping though.
• Generally very clumsy.
• Tires easily when doing anything physical.
• struggles to follow a sequence of instructions.
• sensory issues with food, clothing, can’t stand loud noises or busy environments.
• high levels of anxiety.
• can’t read social cues. Really struggles with friendships at school.
• doesn’t really speak at all at school unless approached first.
• obsessive interest with wires, leads, pipes and hoovers.
• meltdowns, frustrated easily.
• very forgetful.
• academically is doing well at school, other than with his writing. His writing is very poor and he struggles with his pencil grip.
• struggles with dressing himself. Finds buttons and zips very challenging. Can’t put socks on.

i’m worried about what the future will hold for him. If your child was dyspraxic, was there a plan put in place by the paediatrician to help them? How were they diagnosed? Does this sound like autism as well as dyspraxia or could this just be dyspraxia alone?

thanks for reading if you got this far!

ASD and DCD have overlapping symptoms, but are also not uncommonly seen together. My DH has ASD and DCD (and ADHD too), and our DS has ASD and some vestibular and other sensory processing issues that are a lot like DCD but don't meet thresholds for that diagnosis right now. I agree that it sounds like your son should be assessed for both ASD and DCD. The social differences you're describing sound more like ASD.

Did the GP refer you to occupational therapy? We were advised by OT that swimming, gymnastics, and martial arts can help develop co-ordination, but obviously you want to find a class that is accommodating for him. Physiotherapy might also be helpful if there are muscle tone issues. He also might need support around organising and sequencing tasks, as people with DCD can struggle with that.

My DH has a good job, a lovely family, and a great life. I work at a university and see lots of ASD/DCD students doing really well with the right support. No one knows what the future will hold but you're on the pathway to getting him the support he needs. Did school raise the possibility of an EHCP?

@BusMumsHoliday Thanks for replying! It wouldn’t surprise me if DS has ADHD as well because he has a lot of those traits too - there just seems to be a lot of overlap and I’m confused by it all! It’s very reassuring to hear about your DH.

No, he wasn’t referred for OT. I told the GP that i think he has dyspraxia and she didn’t really know what to do so referred him to a paediatrician. I’m hoping the paediatrician might make some more referrals but we will see. The school did mention an EHCP potentially in the future but the SENCO (who luckily is also his teacher) has put a really good support plan in place for him and he’s doing well and seems happy. They are still quite concerned with his gross and fine motor skills though, he can’t even run in a straight line and is really struggling with his writing despite a lot of practice.

I second @BusMumsHoliday, the signs of DCD and ASD overlap and they can also be co-morbid.

The paed may refer to OT or have one as part of their team. If they don’t you should look at a referral.

I would request an EHCNA now. On their website, IPSEA has a model letter you can use.

What support is the school providing? Has DS tried using a laptop and assistive technology or a scribe?

Both my sons (9 and 7) are diagnosed autistic and dyspraxic.

The game changer for us has been specialist occupational therapy: they do all kinds of weird exercises that have massively improved their coordination and ability to do everyday tasks.

We’ve also been trained to do some exercises with them at home in between sessions, which is helping with desensitisation to some of their sensory issues.

If you can find the money to pay for it privately I’d really recommend. If not you can probably find videos etc online to give you some ideas but I can’t recommend any afraid

My son meets the criteria for DCD/dyspraxia (not normally ‘properly’ diagnosed until after age 5 apparently). He has v poor fine motor skills - especially handwriting / pencil grip. But also some sensory and gross motor issues. The paediatrician will probably refer you on to an Occupational Therapist - we found one privately and she has been amazing. Will give you lots of ideas for both gross and fine motor stuff to practise, and will make it far more fun than you will!

But the plan that an OT makes for you will need to be taken up at school (eg around handwriting) to have most effect - luckily it sounds like your DS’s teachers are on the ball and will do what they can to help. Good luck!

I have dyspraxia and my nearly 11 year old has suspected dyspraxia. I struggled for 19 years pre diagnosis but then I had a lot of help and I did really well. I can do most things, apart from driving, and there are a few things that I can't do at the same time as something else, like I can't walk and eat an ice cream. The dc school have been really good and helped me with forms etc.

Thank you all for your comments. I have taken all of these on board and will see what the outcome is of his paediatrician appointment next week.

Can anyone tell me if dyspraxia or similar can cause issues with walking? DS tires so easily when walking anywhere and has to be carried or goes in his little brother’s pushchair! He doesn’t seem unfit or anything like that but he just gives up on walking, says that it’s hard and he’s tired.

Yes, it can. Has DS had a physio assessment?

@BrumToTheRescue thank you. He had physiotherapy sessions when he was 11 months old because he was like a giant newborn and couldn’t move or sit up. But after a few sessions he caught up and was discharged. He hasn’t been since then nor have we seen any medical professionals

It is worth asking about a physio referral. If the paed won’t refer, check if you can self refer.

Hi I know this thread is from nearly a year ago but just wondered how your son was getting on? Your description is my 4 year old DS almost exactly and he fits the criteria for DCD (not diagnosed yet) - wondering how I get can get support in place for when he starts school in September.