New diagnosis for General Dyspraxia (as well as verbal) - Lots of questions!

[HayleyK]

Our little boy has just been formally diagnosed today with general dyspraxia (he is 2.5) and we already know he has verbal dyspraxia.

We're getting our heads around what exactly the new diagnosis means and I'm not particularly surprised by it. He is still struggling with walking without falling over, despite the fact he started walking 7 months ago (he didn't move at all until 18 months and couldn't sit himself up from lying down until this age); he struggles to climb stairs independently, is nowhere near being able to jump etc. His fine motor skills aren't very good also. We thought he was low tone, but it seems that the tone isn't nearly low enough to account for his difficulties. He doesn't yet get particularly frustrated or have behavioural issues or over-react to sensory integration stuff (though under-reacts a bit)

We live in NW London.

Would love any of your input on the following - thanks so so much!

1. Any details of any conferences/talks on dyspraxia (general or verbal) in the UK

2. Any physios or OTs that are incredible at helping kids with dyspraxia in London

3. Acitvities people have found useful for their children with similar issues to Dillon.

4. Any schools in London that have gone over and above to help their children with these kinds of issues.

5. Anything else that could be useful? (I have a list of things we are trying for verbal dyspraxia that we find helpful if anyone wants a copy!)

Thanks very much again to anyone who is able to help!

Hi there,

DD has not yet had a formal diagnosis of Dyspraxia, but the Paediatrician has told us that she thinks DD has Dyspraxia, along with ASD and Sensory Processing Disorder.

The Dyspraxia Foundation are very helpful

www.dyspraxiafoundation.org.uk

Thanks very much for that. I would really appreciate any other thoughts anyone else has also.

could i have a copy of the list please?

misscutandstickatyahoodotcodotuk

thanks!

Hi there
My DS is 4.5 and we have a diagnosis of general dyspraxia and verbal dyspraxia too. We don't live in London (though we did get our verbal dyspraxia diagnosis from the Nuffield) and so I can't help with many of your questions but I will try! Have you joined AFASIC? It's for the verbal dyspraxia part really but I went to one of their conferences last year and it was really good and heard a talk from Amanda Kirby who is an expert in general dyspraxia.
We have only had NHS OT assessments - no blocks of treatment just stuff to do at home to help pre-writing and pre-scissor skills. We do a gym class (though he is in with with 1-3 yr olds), swimming and he has just started horseriding which he seems to love.
His dyspraxia (both kinds) is very severe and he still falls over fresh air and can't be left alone near stairs (stairgates) but can jump (maybe did that at 3.5 ish) and the other day I saw him use scissors properly for the first time so he is making progress albeit slower than we would like!

Hi,
Thanks so much. I got in touch with the dyscovery centre which Amanda Kirby runs. They sent me this link to an amazing website: www.parent-plus.org
Thanks for replying and helping. Our boy sounds a bit like yours re falling over air and the stairs etc. Fantastic news about the scissors - I really get how important all the little stages of development are now and how exciting it is when something new emerges. Hope things go well with your child - it's not easy this parenting business!!