dyspraxia assessment for 13 year old - what happens?

Spendless

Jellyhead -I've always thought you were incorrectly advised re DLA. Ring somewhere like DIAL and talk to them. It's a free service and will cost you the price of a phone call to find out if it is worth making a claim.

dollydoodah

concerned43 wrote: »

Why the surprise at getting DLA - my son is not the same as a normal 12 year old (DLA words not mine). My son is clumsy and can trip over his own shadow - posing a danger to himself. He cannot use a knife and fork properly and needs supervision at meal times. He does not communicate well (esp. with adults) and needs help to do this and thus can put himself in danger.
The words in italics highlight to the DLA team that my son requires more assistance than his peers - thus why he was awarded DLA - it is not too late to apply for DLA and happy to help you with forms.

Oh no offence to you, I was just always under the impression from what I have read before that dyspraxia is practically disregarded by health professionals with regards to DLA which is so wrong. I do understand what you mean - mine can't use a toaster without me watching carefully and the number of times he has spilt boiling water when using a kettle... :eek:

Indie_Kid

The diagnosis is irrelevant - you just need to prove that your child with dyspraxia has more needs than the average child their age.

concerned43

Sh1305 is correct - its all about needs!

gorgeouslatinrose

Hi there,
I have suffered with dyspraxia and was eventually diagnosed at 15 and then again at 18 years.My younger sister has just been diagnosed with the same thing at 12 years.
The next thing that will need to happen is a diagnosis with an educational psycologist , which is basically when your son will sit in a room with them , and go through a series of questions, tests ( when i mean tests, such as spelling, counting , listening) and a few writing tests. It can take a while, I think ours took about 2 hours, but they can have breaks at a younger age. They also speak to you as well , and will ask questions about general things eg. what problems does he have , does he have difficulty remembering things etc. Then they will assess there notes, and be able to tell you what they think your son has. You may find that he may also be diagnosed with mild dyslexia or something else as well, as they can be very good at picking up on these things. Your school should arrange this and pay for it - however my mum waited two years, and heard nothing so booked it privatly, and it was worth its weight in gold. After this, you will get a full report, one which is sent to you, another to the school. Here you can read through and get a better understanding on your sons difficulties and needs. The school then may call you back for another meeting, and discuss what they are going to do. I don't know if your son is at a private or state school, but its worth asking maybe what schools at secondary level offer the most learning support - as some will not offer it at all and this is what makes the difference. He should be offered things such as extra time in exams, possibly seperate room to concentrate better, extra assistance in school and the teachers should all know so to take into account his problems when they read his work. If he gets to University level, the help is brilliant, but you may need to push for it during the school period as they can be very lax. My mother made the decision to pull my younger sister out of her state secondary hald way through to take her to a small private school, which the support has been amazing, but we were lucky, and not everyone can afford to do that. Anyway hope that helps and sorry for the long post!

P.S. sorry just re read and saw your son is secondary level. Definatly push to see a psycologist and get extra time for GCSEs. You may have a bit of a battle with learning support, but they are required to help your son if they have proof he has problems and it will make all the difference.

csh_2

gorgeouslatinrose wrote: »

Hi there,
I have suffered with dyspraxia and was eventually diagnosed at 15 and then again at 18 years.My younger sister has just been diagnosed with the same thing at 12 years.
The next thing that will need to happen is a diagnosis with an educational psycologist , which is basically when your son will sit in a room with them , and go through a series of questions, tests ( when i mean tests, such as spelling, counting , listening) and a few writing tests. It can take a while, I think ours took about 2 hours, but they can have breaks at a younger age. They also speak to you as well , and will ask questions about general things eg. what problems does he have , does he have difficulty remembering things etc. Then they will assess there notes, and be able to tell you what they think your son has. You may find that he may also be diagnosed with mild dyslexia or something else as well, as they can be very good at picking up on these things. Your school should arrange this and pay for it - however my mum waited two years, and heard nothing so booked it privatly, and it was worth its weight in gold. After this, you will get a full report, one which is sent to you, another to the school. Here you can read through and get a better understanding on your sons difficulties and needs. The school then may call you back for another meeting, and discuss what they are going to do. I don't know if your son is at a private or state school, but its worth asking maybe what schools at secondary level offer the most learning support - as some will not offer it at all and this is what makes the difference. He should be offered things such as extra time in exams, possibly seperate room to concentrate better, extra assistance in school and the teachers should all know so to take into account his problems when they read his work. If he gets to University level, the help is brilliant, but you may need to push for it during the school period as they can be very lax. My mother made the decision to pull my younger sister out of her state secondary hald way through to take her to a small private school, which the support has been amazing, but we were lucky, and not everyone can afford to do that. Anyway hope that helps and sorry for the long post!

P.S. sorry just re read and saw your son is secondary level. Definatly push to see a psycologist and get extra time for GCSEs. You may have a bit of a battle with learning support, but they are required to help your son if they have proof he has problems and it will make all the difference.

Any rough guide to the costs involved in private testing/diagnosis??
I've not had 2 tests the same back from the school and they always pick the 'best' results and offer the bare minimum of help which I don't think is enough.

concerned43

Before shelling out £375 - £500 ask your GP to refer.

notakid

GP's tend not to refer as the problem is educational not medical.

Jellyhead, is it the Ed phys from the school who is doing the assessment on your son? If this is so, this is ideal, as many parents are unaware that a private assessment will not guarantee extra help, as it is just that, a private report. The school would have to verify it. If the school have requested the report. You are at the winning gate really, you have jumped most the hurdles.

I'm pretty sure you are in the West Midlands?

Be aware that special needs in the West Midlands is in crisis, many schools are told to longer statement.

Your son isn't too old to gain the help, in fact it sounds very similar to my sons experience. He managed until he got to secondary school than couldn't cope.

If the school believe he needs extra help you are halfway there. They will help you. Make friends with the SENCO. Its worth its weight in gold! Do not believe it when they say "We don't believe labelling is helpful." It is! It is the only way to will gain help for your son.

Esp for when he goes to college, the help will be available in spades.

csh_2

concerned43 wrote: »

Before shelling out £375 - £500 ask your GP to refer.

GP tell me its a school/educational issue. I'm actually looking at a place that does evaluation and what not then optional additional services.
The school is not doing enough IMO

Its this place I'm looking at. I've ruled a few others out for various reasons.
Cost isn't really going to come into it tbh, just being nosey about what others have paid! Just want her to feel better about herself x

csh_2

notakid wrote: »

If the school believe he needs extra help you are halfway there. They will help you. Make friends with the SENCO. Its worth its weight in gold! Do not believe it when they say "We don't believe labelling is helpful." It is! It is the only way to will gain help for your son.

Esp for when he goes to college, the help will be available in spades.

My DD's school is already talking about dropping the little help she does get in the new term.
I know it sounds horrible, but I actually think by getting her labelled, she will do much better in a college environment.

The school she's at is a total shambles but I can't take the risk of moving her to one 15 miles away from her not to settle there and be even more unhappy.