Dyspraxia - can someone give a basic explanation of it please

[mumoverseas]

I teach baby and toddler sign language (based on Makaton/BSL) and have this morning been approached by a lady who has a son with autism and she is interested in him joining my classes, either in a group session or privately. He is very badly affected. He is 9 years old and she said that his 'actual' (sorry I don't know the real name for it and don't want to offend) age is around 18 months. She also said that he has dyspraxia (sp?) and intimated that he may have problems with some of the signs (both she and her DS had done some basic Makaton previously)due to this condition.

Don't really want to google it as that can get confusing but would be very grateful if someone could please give just a very brief explanation of this condition so I know what to expect and can try to help him to the best of my ability.
Many thanks

It can affect area such as
motor coodination - fine and/or gross - so he may have problems making his fingers into the correct shapes and direction
sequencing - following your instructions, copying form you and others
short term memory - rememebering the signs and putting them in the correct order
concentration- he may not be able to sit still or focus for long periods
Basically I'd go for short sessions, with breaks, and lots of reinforcement perhaps with other activities such as playdough to help develop language more genarally

Thanks for that LIZS, very helpful.
I need to have a proper meeting with his mum as we literally spoke for 2 minutes earlier. My sessions are usually 45 minutes and it is a mixture of playing musical instruments, singing and signing etc.
Not sure whether to do one to one lessons with him or to try to include him in a class with other children. One issue is that the oldest in my current class is 3 and wonder if they will think it odd that he is so much older/bigger. Think one to one might be better.
Views anyone?

I don't think they are likely to really notice that so much at that age. ds was in a swimming class with preschoolers and the kids were very accepting of him.

I think his mum might prefer him to be in a group setting, but it's worth discussing with her.

Liz has described the problems he is likely to have very well. I'd agree with that and one thing that works for my ds is to actually physically guide him to do things when he is struggling. It's easier for him to get the hand of it than his brain just trying to copy it.

Thanks for that chops.
I think the mum might prefer the group sessions in the hope that he copies the other children. Just wasn't sure how the other children would be about a 'big' kid being there.

Thanks very much for your advice ladies. Hopefully I can help him a little bit

I think it's great that you are willing to give it a go - a lot of people just make excuses when you mention autism or probably any non standard condition. Without being negative though, he may need more support than even a younger NT child in a group setting - I know my DS would . It might be a good idea to discuss this with the mother. It is awful in a way but I have got used to it over time.

Thank you cyberseraphim I wouldn't dream of turning anyone away from my classes, particularly if there was chance that I might be able to help them.
Funnily enough, it was talking to his old carer earlier in the year that made me consider starting up my classes. I'd done signing years ago but not since I'd moved abroad. She said she thought that it might be helpful for him as he has no communication skills and thought it would be worth a try.
Over the summer I took my DD to baby and toddler signing classes and not only did she love it but within 5 minutes I knew it was what I wanted to do. I therefore brushed up my skills over the summer and set up here in October. I'm just coming to the end of the first 10 weeks course and love it. I'd wondered about contacting this boy's mum to see if she was interested but wasn't sure how to approach her so I was really pleased she approached me yesterday.

I do hope it works out for him/us

It's definitely worth a try and I think his mum will love the feeling that you want him to have a chance as sadly it is more common for people to feel it's not really worth bothering if a child can't learn at a normal pace. You sound like the sort of Christmas angel that we all need. I am quite amazed really when I see all the things that DS2 (NT) can access and do and that is provided for him. It's made me much more aware of how much is closed off to DS1

'Not bother'? Why would anyone not bother? That is just down to lazyness/ignorance. what the hell is 'normal' anyway?

Its very sad when people are like that.
Years ago when I learnt sign language I really wanted to teach deaf children but couldn't afford to give up my job (lawyer) to do it. I've been on a career break the last few years and have now decided this is what I want to do.
Am trying to find out about courses that I can do so that I can qualify as a special needs assistant. Can't think of a job with more job satisfaction. Much better than dealing with arsy clients who want to squabble all day

'Why would anyone not bother?'

ds got turned down by about a dozen swim schools before I could find one prepared to teach him.

I wish there were more people like you!

bastards. Surely that is discrimination? God there are some ignorant f*ers in this world
I learnt to swim with quite a few disabled people. My late father used to work at a college that trained disabled adults and I suppose I grew up with it. On friday nights he used to take a group of them swimming and I often tagged along.

Some of the comments on here are making me even more determined to try to train as a special needs assistant/teacher. I'm getting very annoyed now. How dare people refuse to teach children. EVERYONE is entitled to have an education/swimming lessons, whatever