Dyspraxia

[Norwich]

Hi there is there anyone out there who has a child diagnosed with Dyspraxia? My 3.6 month old son had a full development check the other day and the Doctor is question marking him with Dyspraxia, he is constantly dribbling, although his speech seems really quite clear. This clearly is very concerning especially given that he is due to start school in September and that he is going to be the youngest in the year. I'm trying to do some research but to be honest my brain is in a muddle. Can anyone recommend any particular groups? What kind of difficulties/stresses might he face? Is there a possibility that Dyslexia can overlap with this? Could this possibly interfere with their sleep pattern?

Take a look here:

www.dyscovery.co.uk

Good luck!

Many thanks - most helpful

Hi Norwich - it was suggested that my step-DD has suffered with dyspraxia all her life, if I read down this list I am sure she has ticked most boxes:
www.dyspraxiafoundation.org.uk/services/gu_symptoms.php

We were really lucky to have a very understanding infant school headmistress who knew how to handle most of these issues, as she has gotten older (now 11) the 'routine' of school has allowed her to understand compliance etc and as each school year that passes we see massive improvements. I would say you need to speak to the headteacher about how they will approach your DSs day, how he will need to be helped as a teacher who knows how to deal with this stuff is worth their weight in gold.

DD is a very kind, generous little girl who has had her issues but is striving each day to overcome them. And yes, dyspraxia can certainly overlap with sleep issues. DD had night terrors for over a year when she was about 7, the more stressed she became the worse they got so we were able to see when things were coming up that would affect her and were able to do something about it.

Hope the website helps.

dyspraxia can certainly affect sleep. ds1 doesn't sleep well.

not sure if dyslexia generally overlaps with it, but ds1 has a dyspraxia dx and is suspected of dyslexia too, so in our experience they seem to be possibly related.

I'd try to make an appointment with the senco at the school maybe, and discuss it with them if you do think he will have any issues at school.

I think issues vary according to the severity of the dyspraxia. In our case, ds1 has needed a lot of support at school due to lack of motor skills, social and communication issues, and toilet issues. Until he starts it's hard to tell which issues will arise, but defo worth chatting to the school so they can be ready to watch out and intervene early.

hi. have 11yr old son with Dyspraxia. he started seeing an occup. therapist when he was 4 cos of our concerns over coordination difficulties, still couldnt dress himself-buttons, socks, zips were a nightmare, he couldnt hold a pencil properly, catch a ball or kick one etc.he also had and still does have sleep difficulties.while he is keeping up academically, he does require extra support in the classroom-he does some written tasks on the computer, as due to poor motor control, writing is not easy for him-you should see his handwriting on a bad day...he is not dyslexic, but does get extra support with spelling, so perhaps there is a link between dyspraxia and making sense of written words? an understanding teacher can make all the difference between your son enjoying school, or finding things very difficult. if there is a professional involved with your son, insist they speak to the headteacher or write a report on what your son needs. i live in scotland, and here, kids dont start primary school until theyre 5. dyspraxia is a developmental disorder, and you say your son will only just be 4 when he starts school and be one of the youngest in his year? seriously look at your son, and think v. carefully if he is ready for the demands of school-i dont mean academically, but emotionally and socially. do you think another year at nursery would suit his needs better? if so, stand your ground with the education dept. this message, is turning into a book, so id better stop-(audible sighs all round). but if ive helped great but if ive made you neurotic, apologies....

Thank you to you all for your advice and tips, they are a big help (no, I've not become neurotic ). Somehow I can now understand the broken nights and I'm not going bonkers! I've been asked the question before whether he will be "emotionally" ready for school and to be honest, right now he isn't. He can really be quite babyish in some of the things he does. I am very concerned, also I'm not sure where I stand if I did defer his start date, I know the school he is going into only has one intake a year, which in some respects is good, but in other cases, like my son it is not. I am now going to get in touch with school and discuss my son's issues. The awful thing I have to wait another 3 agonising months to find out what level of dyspraxia he has....... thanks again and if I think of anymore questions I will be coming back to you guys.

I was really worried about my ds starting school. I delayed preschool until he was 4, and then reluctantly starting him at school as a rising 5 because if I had left it any longer, he'd have had to go straight in to full days when he did start.

However, despite being very immature socially and emotionally he has mostly coped well with school. We've had ups and downs, but it wasn't nearly as bad as I feared. I think the routine of it, and following along with other children helps him.

One thing I could maybe suggest is that there is a space for him to go if he does get overwhelmed. ds1 mainly used the toilets!

ds1 is still very immature, over emotional and probably always will be but he m,ostly copes, and seems to better in the routine of a school day than he does at home!

Wow this is really interesting. I really think my DS may have dyspraxia...he has already been diagnosed with an overall developmental and speech delay. He is rather immature in many areas - and even the other 4 year olds in his class call him the 'baby' because he is so baby-ish.

I didn't realise bad sleeping was part of dyspraxia! Makes me even more suspect!

DS had night terrors from the early age of 13months and has had them ever since, even though they have gotten less as he has gotten older. However his sleeping is hard work.

He goes to bed happily and tired at 7.30pm but without fail wakes every 2 hours or so. So he will wake again at about 10pm, then again at about midnight, then again at 2.30am....it is like having a newborn for 4 years!

My husband and I are exhausted!
AND we are expecting a new baby soon...lord help us.

Does everyone think that sleep patterns are an important area to mention to developmental psychologists when they are assessing DS?

Norwich
If my DS has dsypraxia - which they haven't wanted to say yet! Then the difficulties he has been having at school as a 4 year old has mainly been making friends. Because they can't understand him due to immature speech, many of the children just don't know how to play/relate to him. His immature motor skills also interfere with joining in with all activities the other children do without thought - like playing dressing up, cutting shapes out of card or building things.

I have had quite an emotional last 2 weeks with DS as his best friend ( who he has known since he was 1 ! ) left the school and he has been rather lost ever since as he finds it so hard to make new friends. Just be ready for some ups and downs I reckon.

mention EVERYTHING! It's not just even about ticking boxes, it's about putting together the best plan of care for your child.