Dyspraxia? the way Schools treat kids with possible learning difficulties?

[Karenc3]

My daughter is almost six years of age. She is in her first year of school here in Scotland, however it is not going all that great. My husband and I fought the school not all that long ago to have her included more, she was not getting homework or being let join in, also getting bullied. After a week of not sending her to school for the fact they let her walk home herself during lunch time, when she was a packed lunch. They convinced us to send her back, with promises of homework, and reading books. Five weeks ago the homework stopped again, expecting it to start up again the following week we left it, until a week ago when my daughter learning support teacher stopped us outside my sons nursary, telling us her teacher had teamed up with another learning support tutor to stop her homework. Again they did not tell us anything. I have also learned now that her teacher is refusing to do any "extra curricular" work with her. Which has had my daughter in tears - they made flowers with the other girls, but Chloe was unable to join in as "she cant count".

During a parent teacher meeting I was informed by the teacher that my daughter had spend one of her days playing with a dolls house, and many others just drawing and colouring in.

This school seems to do everything to hold her back, making comments along the way which when you think about them mean they feel Chloe in incapable of learning. "We cant teach her until we know what is WRONG with her". Our GP has said he cannot diagnose her or have any one else do it, as she is supposed to be going the the Educational therapist - who has taken a year so far and at this rate will get to see her by the middle of Primary 2. Her education is non-exsistant until then by what the School say.

Our learning support teacher is fabulous however - and dropped a hint that Chloe may have Dyspraxia.

Does anyone else here have a child with Dyspraxia? If so how have they managed with the schools? Diagnosis - did you feel it took to long?

"We cant teach her until we know what is WRONG with her".

Ridiculous. Our school is not perfect, but the moment they suspected ASD & dyspraxia in DS2, they put him into sessions with a teacher 3 times per week that assist him in coordination. They added another TA in the afternoons for his class and are attempting to get funds for 1-on-1 in the morning as well. The SENco immediately got a referral through school nurse for paed, as well as language/communication and ed psych. The GP referred to CAMHS as well.

SENco's words when I asked how we were supposed to help him until we find out a firm diagnosis? "Just like any other child, we find out the ways in which he learns best, and make any adaptations we need to make for him." They've made every effort to keep him involved in all classroom activities. Obviously there are bumps along the way here and there (a couple individual incidents - resolved quickly by the headteacher), but overall they've been brilliant.

As I've said, our school is not perfect, but honestly I'm horrified at the obstacles some of these schools put in front of a child's learning and well-being.

I didn't think the teacher was allowed to simply "refuse" to do activities with her when doing them with the other children.

Meant to add that I'm sorry you're having to deal with this - it's difficult enough trying to navigate all the things that need to be sorted without the school making it tougher on you!

Another adult with dyspraxia here. I did school with no dx and then got one at the beginning of 2nd year at university. I now have a degree as well.

I think your DD's school's attitude is disgusting. A lot of children with things like dyspraxia, dyslexia, aspergers etc aren't diagnosed until after the beginning of primary school and the teachers just have to make the best of things.

I would also recommend the dyspraxia foundation. When I was younger I was in a kind of physio group which was like PE but with other children who had difficulties. We did snack time with children taking it in turns to pour drinks etc to encourage social skills because if you wanted a drink you had to ask the child who was on pouring duty and craft activities to encourage fine motor skills. I found it really good although not sure if it's still available now as it was about 20 years ago when I went.

My DS has dyspraxia. His first primary school 'left' him pretty much as well. When i moved him in year 1 he was barely reading (ORT level1) couldn't 'mark make' hold pen etc.
Changed him to a new school in the january term of year 1. Without requesting, he was assessed by EP, OT and SALT within his first 2 weeks. they set up all the measures needed to help him learn. The OT phoned me in the june and told me it was like assessing a different child - and he is.
In year 2 he became a 'free reader' and his SATS at the end of year 2 suggest in maths and science that he is nearly 2 years ahead.
This is not meant to be a bragging post - but i am amazingly proud of him . This is meant to show you what a school with the right attitude can do for a child. By finding ways for your DC to be taught along with her peers will boost her confidence in her academic abilities.
IMHO, if a school doesn't have the intention of supporting your DD, it is unlikely that they will miraculously do so - even after a dx, professional input etc. some schools just don't have the lead from the top to want to include. Find a school that will rise to the challenge, they exist.