dyspraxia assessment for 13 year old - what happens?

slightlyconfused1

Hi

We had a home visit by an occupational therapist a few years ago to assess my sons needs in the home. She referred me for diagnosis. It turns out that dyspraxia can run in families (but not always).

I know what you mean about feeling clumsy etc. I used to feel so stupid because I couldn't "get" driving. I eventually learned in an automatic. I don't get any help but just knowing there was a reason that I do bump into things, look at things slightly differently to other people etc really helped. I would take Savy_Sue's advice and try to get an assessment.

Please don't worry about coming across as a pushy parent. Parents know their own child best and most professionals I have come across acknowledge that. I even resorted to crying in a doctors office to persuade them to refer one of my children for a hearing test. They agreed (just to calm me down I think) and it turned out she had lost 20% hearing in both ears.

As for the course, I would only do it if it is what you want.

Hope it works out

Gingham_Ribbon

Jellyhead, I recognise a lot of what you're saying in me too. It's common for dyspraxic people to have low self esteem and anxiety or depression. Everything we do is harder work than it should be.

But I don't worry about it any more. I'm doing some tutoring at the moment and I accidentally pulled a pen apart thinking I was taking the lid off. I laughed and said 'You'd think I'd be embarrassed about that but if I was embarrassed every time I broke something or dropped something I'd never feel anything else!'

Knowing what the problem is has helped me LOADS. I know you didn't ask for advice, but some things have helped me move on:

Reading 'Living in Chaos'. It's written by a 16 year old girl with dyspraxia. She's extraordinarily articulate about it and her experience so closely mirrors my own that it really helped just to read someone else's experience but her tips were very useful too.

Talking to 'Danda'. It's run by a woman with ADHD and dyspraxia who wasnt' diagnosed until her 40s I think. There's useful support there too.

Learning to 'mind map'. I'll link to the book I use later.

Talking to the GP. I'm waiting for an official diagnosis but she agrees with me that it's dyspraxia. And having seen me walking into the wall trying to get out of the door, she knows exactly what I'm like!

I'm not embarrassed or ashamed by my problems any more. Like you, I've struggled with asthma and dyspraxia and various other problems and come out fighting. What's to be ashamed of? We work hard and we're smart and kind. So what if we can't remember why we walked up the stairs or where we put our purses?

Re getting started on your college work, we should talk by pm. I might be able to help you get going! :j