Developmental coordination disorder

[debs40]

DS has been going to an OT for assessment and she confirmed DCD today which she distinguished from dyspraxia on the grounds that DCD was a developmental lag and did not involve imparirments in the ability to plan thoughts etc.

I have been bloody well banging my head against a brick wall with school about these issues but OT says she is willing to come to school for next IEP review.

It is so draining as DS is of course still waiting to see if there is also a diagnosis of AS and essentially, despite being on SA+, gets no additional help. The Early Bird Plus course bangs on about home/school communication while his home/school book sits in his book bag as he forgets to give it in!

I was also told today that DS had 'some' social skills classes last term (after the SALT confirmed social communciation issues and recommended intervention) but that no more are planned until summer to prepare him for transition to Yr 3.

So, here we have a child with DCD (obvious from his handwriting), and SCD and school are doing nothing.

Rejoice ......he is clearly cured!

Well at least you have a good OT! I have been told that the over 5 OT has left and is not going to be replaced and they can not tell me how long it will be after a 7 month wait for a sensory intergration program as OT's have left and will not be replaced!!

Oh and as school have had nothing from the OT in over a year they are now removing him from SA+ and placing him on SA. On the bright side he gets 10 mins of writing practice a day and a pencil grip.

Has he seen an Ed Psych? If not, that would be the obvious next step - ask school SENCo to refer (you may be able to self-refer via GP). I'm a bit at the distinction between DCD and Dyspraxia tbh - See here - it just seems to be a question of semantics rather than a different condition.

Well she seemed to think there was a difference???

School have said they don't need an ed psych at the moment. ASD psychologist said she will look at some issues when she does her assessment in March

Wasuup - I know I am lucky to have access to OT here. I have seen you post about stuff and it must be vv frustrating

Agree with hassled DCD is just an alternatvie term for Dyspraxia. A physical "developmental lag" is just as likely to be permanent and it may simply be too early to evidence the other traits, given his other issues. SA+ doesn't necessrily mean extra help , it simply requires an IEP and that you are accessing help beyond school. Agree an Ed Psych might be the next step to assess IQ and any limiting factors on potential. I think a paed could refer as well as a SENCO.

Yup it is frustrating as the school won't get the EP into assess either and thats with a diagnosis of dyspraxia and possible social coordination disorder. I am usually the quiet type but but did a interview live on the radio the other day and the story made the local beeb radio news and the local tv peeps rang me today as they are thinking of doing something dependent on what the PCT says.

social communication disorder that should say!

From the Dyspraxia Foundations's website:

Q: Are dyspraxia and developmental coordination disorder (DCD) the same thing?

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Deve lopmental coordination difficulties are thought to affect between 5-10% of school-aged children, with 2% being severely affected. In the UK these difficulties are often referred to as dyspraxia, although in other countries the term developmental coordination disorder (DCD) is more commonly used. The term DCD describes a more generalised motor co-ordination difficulty which shows a marked difference between the levels of skills that would be expected for age or level of intelligence and significantly interferes with academic or activities of daily living. This is not caused by another medical condition (for example cerebral palsy) and is not part of a pattern of general learning difficulties. The term dyspraxia describes an immaturity in the development of the organisation and sequencing of movements. It can also affect speech, perception and thought. Not all people with DCD have dyspraxia, but often the words are used interchangeably. Difficulties associated with both DCD and dyspraxia have an impact on living and learning in all areas of a child?s life, at home, school and at play.