dyspraxia assessment for 13 year old - what happens?

Gingham_Ribbon

Jellyhead, I'll pm you if your inbox is clear. We're going through similar, though we have the benefit of having paid for a private ed psych last year.

I know someone whose 15 year old can't cross roads on his own because of his dyspraxia so obviously there are various levels of need within it. My main concern for our lad is lack of understanding (and obviously the 'dual diagnosis' he has which leads to yet more confusion.)

Re labelling - I have no qualms about the right label. Wrong ones are damaging, right ones can be freeing.

jellyhead

now what on earth makes you think I wouldn't have space in my pm box? lol! room for 1 or 2

I was 'offered' the ADHD label when he was 5 because he was borderline, and that would have been the wrong label for him. I stubbornly told the paediatrician that I was thinking more of dyspraxia but he refused, saying that my son was walking at a normal age (he couldn't stand up though, had no balance, could just run across a room).

This partly where my problem with worrying about being viewed as a pushy parent comes from - that peadiatrician has told me I'm wrong.

I hope you get the right help for your son.

slightlyconfused1

Dyspraxia covers a huge spectrum from mild to extreme symptoms.

Once my son was diagnosed he had access to lots of help. He attended a small school and they actually sent another two pupils to some of his extra classes (touch typing and exercise class) as, although the two boys hadn't be diagnosed with anything, they felt strongly that they needed the extra help.

Different schools deal with the issues differently. My sons first school, as soon as he had the diagnosis, put a whole plan of assistance in place for him. We moved to a different authority in P2 and, although they knew nothing about dyspraxia, seemed to just quietly adapt to his needs and seemed able to access help much more easily and informally. Both schools did all they could though and I have no complaints after the diagnosis.

I feel that being "labelled" dyspraxic was much better for my son as before he was diagnosed he had, in effect, been labelled as stupid (at age 4) because he couldn't draw and colour very well and was terrible at throwing and catching. To put this in context he is just about to leave school and go to Uni to study analytical chemistry and forensic science(having received 5 unconditional offers - stupid he ain't).

At the end of the day my son is who he is. The diagnosis of dyspraxia only made it easier for him to get some help and helped him reach his potential because the teachers saw past the messy work and, although they still marked him down for presentation, they took the time to try and make sense of his work and give him extra guidance.

It was easy to get extra time for exams. He only had the extra time for English and Modern Studies - essay type exams. Maths and sciences he had the same as everyone else. He had to see his guidance teacher as the diagnosis was in his records they then asked if we would support the application for extra time (obviously we said yes) and the school then sorted it out. The 30 mins extra just seemed to take the pressure off. The exam certificate does not show that he had extra time.

best of luck

Savvy_Sue

jellyhead, we all know you're a great mum! Don't do yourself down on that score. Fancy qualifications don't make a person infallible.

Gingham_Ribbon

jellyhead wrote: »

This partly where my problem with worrying about being viewed as a pushy parent comes from - that peadiatrician has told me I'm wrong.

I hope you get the right help for your son.

Thank you. You too.

My son took his first steps at 8 months old and his large motor skills are very good. Being dyspraxic is about a lot more than hitting milestones late! The doctor should have known that. And fine motor skills are very different to large motor, and all the other problems that come with it. No-one has ALL the symptoms. YOU know your boy. Stick to your guns.

I'll pm you tomorrow.

Spendless

jellyhead wrote: »

This thread has been great for me (it's all me me me, I have a high autism quotient lol!). If we are fobbed off this week then I'm going to go back through the GP if that's possible (depends on if the person they would refer me to is the same person we see this week I suppose) or even go private to get a label because I think it will be good for his self esteem.

I am even wondering if I might ask about myself too, once my son's sorted. I want to work within the next couple of years but I have no confidence because I just keep thinking "I can't do that" all the time. I feel as if other people have something that makes them capable, that's just missing in me. I feel inferior without knowing why.

Have you ever done any self awareness/self development classes? I've recently done one and it's been fab for the sort of things you mention for yourself. Mine is run by 'adult and family learning' and I did the class at my local children's centre. If your sister is on a psychology course, see if her or her tutor knows of anything like this running at a very basic level.

Gingham_Ribbon

JH, I always think you come across as very capable, a kind and dedicated mum, a thoughtful friend and really good fun. I can't imagine why you'd feel inferior. There's absolutely no reason to.

jellyhead

very kind of you GR It's because I can't remember things and I'm clumsy. I sometimes feel like I do everything wrong, and I worry about bumping into things/people, or just falling over for no reason. I suppose that's how our children feel sometimes. I can't get my college work written, I haven't even started any of it.

On the course a couple of weeks ago someone came to persuade us to go into childcare because there's funding for the courses - and free qualifications for people who aren't on benefits are like gold dust. We have to get a placement, but it can be voluntary and I can top up my hours by working in the toy library where I currently volunteer. I was all for it, until she said that she can only fund level 3 - I'm scared of starting at level 3! I'd do level 2 but I don't qualify for funding.

I'm just hormonal at the moment, will feel embarrassed about my self indulgence next week lol!

It would be daft to pass up the opportunity really, wouldn't it ...

jellyhead

Spendless wrote: »

Have you ever done any self awareness/self development classes? I've recently done one and it's been fab for the sort of things you mention for yourself. Mine is run by 'adult and family learning' and I did the class at my local children's centre. If your sister is on a psychology course, see if her or her tutor knows of anything like this running at a very basic level.

hi, our childrens centre doesn't have half the things other people talk about. I'll ask though. One of the high schools is offering lots of courses at the moment, and the lady who's in charge keeps us informed (she organised this level 2 classroom assistant course). Textbooks and websites sail over my head really, but courses are great I did webster-stratton at the childrens centre last year.

Sis is on foundation year, so it's at college. They might have adult learning things there, I'll ask. I did online tests for level 2 literacy and numeracy there last year.

Savvy_Sue

jellyhead wrote: »

It would be daft to pass up the opportunity really, wouldn't it ...

If it's something you want to do, yes.

you should get plenty of support and help with your portfolio (it is a portfolio assessed course, I presume?) because they won't want you to 'fail' or not complete the course as it will affect their statistics and possibly their future funding.

You can probably also ask about having your dyses assessed, to ensure you do get the help you need. Don't know if they will do that, but it's worth asking.

I have had colleagues with dyscalculia and dyslexia, none of them have mentioned dyspraxia although sometimes you wonder ... It doesn't stop them doing very responsible jobs. They get help with the things they struggle with.