Dyspraxia moneysaving and support thread.

newlifeahead

Gingham_Ribbon wrote: »

newlifeahead, it's not your fault. At 38, I'm still constantly bruised, though I don't fall over much any more. How were you supposed to know it was worse than usual?

My son has been given an excellent programme to improve his writing and I'm AMAZED at how quickly things are changing for him. He loves doing it too, which is fantastic. I've tried everything to get him to write, draw, colour in with little joy, but he actually asks to get this out.

It's called Write From The Start.

Thanks Gingham. I will look into this programme to help ds1 handwritting, it really needs improving.

I have now got an appointment with the O/T on 11th August. Can't wait, I am very happy something is starting to happen at long last.

Gingham_Ribbon

That's great. It was the occupational therapist that gave us the Write From the Start workbooks.

2boysmum

Hi everyone,

We are currently waiting on an OT appointment for DS6, he was referred by the school as he has problems with his balance, fine motor skills, handwriting and concentration. He was referred in June 2009, phoned them a few days ago to be told he was 15th on the list, phone back at the end of the year! Teacher is trying to help him as much as she can, he works well with someone sitting next to him but as soon as he's left alone his mind starts to wander and has no idea of timescales leading to him not finishing his work. I feel so sorry for my little man as he realises something is going on and keeps asking why I keep talking to the teacher and is he in trouble. Just wish that it was all sorted and we can get the help that he needs, and we can move forward, feel like we are in limbo right now.

yummymummy79

My son had his assessment on 11 Aug with the Paedeatric Physio dept, not sure if that might be another option for people to try who have been waiting ages for OT appointments? Turns out he has got issues with muscle tone which affects balance and fidgetiness, he's not great at moving opposite limbs independently etc which can be at least partially attributed to some misalignment or problem with his shoulder/pelvis bones, or something like that!

The lady gave us some sheets with exercises/activities for us to do with him to improve certain areas, has ordered some insoles to help with correcting a bit of a flat foot issue, and is coming to see him in school in Sept to meet up with the SENCO there and see what he needs, as well as how he is getting on.

Took us quite a while to get there (Jan to Aug this year) but hopefully we're on the right track now.

[Deleted User]

I am 25 and am 100% sure I am dyspraxic, as was the educational psychologist who assesed me for dyslexia in university but was not qualified to make an official diagnosis. I am very clumsy, even now. Forever banging into things, tripping over and knocking things over. I have never been able to ride a bike and it took me ages to learn to tie my laces, learn to swim ect. I am really anxious of this winter as the bad weather last year made it impossible for me to leave the house, I couldn't walk more than 2 steps without falling over! Now I have a job, don't think they would be very understanding if I couldn't make it in. Is it worth being formally asses by OT? If so how do I go about getting an assessment?

2boysmum

Finally had our OT appointment last week and as we though DS is Dyspraxic, the occupational therapist will be visiting school in the next couple of weeks to observe him and to make suggestions to the school. He will be attending group therapy once a week, where he will be working on his fine motor skills. I am glad that we have finally got somewhere and know what we are dealing with but I am also so upset for my little man and was in tears the other night, he has such a battle ahead of him.

rinroo

Hi, hope you dont mind me posting, I've just posted my own thread asking for help re: home tutors when i decided to browse the family board. I am so glad I did or else i would not have found this thread.

I am quite concerned over my eldest son, (sorry if its going to be a longish post) he's 8 and was diagnosed by a school test towards the end of the last school year as having mild/borderline dyslexia I however believe he is more than borderline but who am I to say? Both me and my husband feel he could be dyspraxic with dyslexic tendencies and were going to save and shell out for a private test, when speaking to the teacher she replied, well you can but we dont have the facilities to support a dyspraxic pupil. They just seem more bothered about being awarded a "dyslexic friendly award status" for the school. Moving schools just isnt an option for the immediate future due to various circumstances.

As a baby - He never crawled, sort of shuffled along like a wounded soldier, he was always on the go, never sat still at one point we thought he might have an attention disorder ( i feel like i'm constantly labelling my poor son) He had his head glued 3 times before the age of five as he was so clumsy, he still now falls over fresh air. He had grommets fitted twice and his speech was delayed.

Academic ability He has always been below average in all subjects, however at last parents evening he has for the first time ever, met his reading age. His maths, he really struggles with, even the simplest of sums for example he thinks adding 29 to 60 makes 100. His spelling and handwriting is mainly the cause of concern, with his current teacher stating that she can barely read what he writes. As far as I am aware he is ok in PE he plays for a football team, even if he does spend more time of the floor than his feet. He is also on an IEP at school. The school gave him a triangular pencil as he hasn't got the correct grip to hold a normal pencil, they are teaching him his froggy grip and how to park his pencil so that he can pick it up properly. All his other class mates now have their pen license (legible handwriting meaning they can now write in pen as opposed to pencil). I've bought his some "penagain" pencils to help with his grip and they seem to making a little improvement.

He can't ride his bike without stabilisers yet, nor can he tie his laces. He is very sensitive so much as a raised voice will make his lip quiver and frustration often has him in tears. He has a low self esteem and very much "I must be stupid I cant do it" attitude, which we are trying so so hard to get him to over come. He is working in school with a speech therapist as his speech is difficult to understand and simple words are very hard for him to pronounce.

I dont know whether he could be dyspraxic I dont know if he is a normal boy, what I do know is I dont know where to go/what to do next.

It really gets me down seeing him struggle so much.

onetomany

does any of your children have hypermobility as well as low mucsle tone ? we pretty sure my ds whos 8 has dyspraxia, he has a laptop to use and a posture seat and slope for school and ot 3 times a wekk im just wondering if its time to get a assesment as when the dosctors metioned it years ago the attitude was its not gonna change anything as hes having the help he needs without the assement? so do you think its worth getting one done ? (i mean in my sistuation or not) thanks in advance

emsywoo123

rinroo wrote: »

Hi, hope you dont mind me posting, I've just posted my own thread asking for help re: home tutors when i decided to browse the family board. I am so glad I did or else i would not have found this thread.

I am quite concerned over my eldest son, (sorry if its going to be a longish post) he's 8 and was diagnosed by a school test towards the end of the last school year as having mild/borderline dyslexia I however believe he is more than borderline but who am I to say? Both me and my husband feel he could be dyspraxic with dyslexic tendencies and were going to save and shell out for a private test, when speaking to the teacher she replied, well you can but we dont have the facilities to support a dyspraxic pupil. They just seem more bothered about being awarded a "dyslexic friendly award status" for the school. Moving schools just isnt an option for the immediate future due to various circumstances.

As a baby - He never crawled, sort of shuffled along like a wounded soldier, he was always on the go, never sat still at one point we thought he might have an attention disorder ( i feel like i'm constantly labelling my poor son) He had his head glued 3 times before the age of five as he was so clumsy, he still now falls over fresh air. He had grommets fitted twice and his speech was delayed.

Academic ability He has always been below average in all subjects, however at last parents evening he has for the first time ever, met his reading age. His maths, he really struggles with, even the simplest of sums for example he thinks adding 29 to 60 makes 100. His spelling and handwriting is mainly the cause of concern, with his current teacher stating that she can barely read what he writes. As far as I am aware he is ok in PE he plays for a football team, even if he does spend more time of the floor than his feet. He is also on an IEP at school. The school gave him a triangular pencil as he hasn't got the correct grip to hold a normal pencil, they are teaching him his froggy grip and how to park his pencil so that he can pick it up properly. All his other class mates now have their pen license (legible handwriting meaning they can now write in pen as opposed to pencil). I've bought his some "penagain" pencils to help with his grip and they seem to making a little improvement.

He can't ride his bike without stabilisers yet, nor can he tie his laces. He is very sensitive so much as a raised voice will make his lip quiver and frustration often has him in tears. He has a low self esteem and very much "I must be stupid I cant do it" attitude, which we are trying so so hard to get him to over come. He is working in school with a speech therapist as his speech is difficult to understand and simple words are very hard for him to pronounce.

I dont know whether he could be dyspraxic I dont know if he is a normal boy, what I do know is I dont know where to go/what to do next.

It really gets me down seeing him struggle so much.

Firstly, hello and welcome :T

My DD is 7, so very similar ages. She was diagnosed with dyspraxia at 4. Some of your son's traits sound like dyspraxia, some really not, making it very difficult. Those that do not fall into the dyspraxic bracket could be attributable to dyslexia.

The school's approach is appalling, and I would encourage you to try and get a formal assessment and then approach the governers/LEA/headteacher to address the support he needs.

emsywoo123

onetomany wrote: »

does any of your children have hypermobility as well as low mucsle tone ? we pretty sure my ds whos 8 has dyspraxia, he has a laptop to use and a posture seat and slope for school and ot 3 times a wekk im just wondering if its time to get a assesment as when the dosctors metioned it years ago the attitude was its not gonna change anything as hes having the help he needs without the assement? so do you think its worth getting one done ? (i mean in my sistuation or not) thanks in advance

I cannot recommend getting an assessment completed strongly enough. You will get additional/changing support as he gets older, and his needs WILL change. (additional time in exams etc)