Dyspraxia?? advice please

teabag29

The ed.p is doing her final session with my dd next week (6 in total) and today she showed me results of the cognitive and other tests she’s been doing. My dd is 12 years and 7 months old and she scored between the age of 5 years and 8.1 years on all the tests given. Numeracy was her best at 8.1 years and reading was age 7, decoding age 5, memory was very poor. She showed me a centile chart (similar to those you have in a babies red health book) for dd’s learning and my daughter is on the 7th centile which is obviously very low. From what she was saying she is going to recommend statementing but the school are saying she has no hope as the government are turning down kids in our area who are much worse than my daughter.

If this is the case surely they will at least state that the school have to be giving more support to her as she only gets 1 hour literacy help a day (in a small group). She got 3 hours a day in primary school and after school maths tuition and her results were higher back then plus daughter has made it clear she struggles without the extra help….surely they will have to do something?

She is currently on sen S.A.P and I have my first caf meeting on Thursday at the school which thankfully the e.p is coming to. The e.p has highlighted she thinks dd has dyspraxia and along with the results of her tests, a questionnaire I had to fill in and a deep look into all her history (educationally and medically) she feels dyspraxia is very likely and has told me to mention it to camhs tomorrow at my first meeting (triage assessment).

There is a school in the next town that specialises in children with autism, adhd, aspergers etc and I really think my dd would benefit going there. There is a much higher staff to pupil ratio and daughter would be with children she can mix with, she doesn’t get on well with other kids and she is getting bullied a lot for being different. This school I’m talking about though is a special needs school and the head of year said dd is a long way off that stage and she wouldn’t even be considered.

Just hope these appts will move things forward so that dd gets the help she needs. As for dyspraxia I’ve read about it but not really sure what it is only to know my dd fits a lot of the criteria for it.

Dainty1976

I feel for you - new diagnosis' are always confusing. My DS has had 7 new diagnosis (all concurrent, since August Last year!)

As School Action Plus your daughter is entitled to up to 12 hours of support from the school - although it is at their discretion and some schools find many reasons that deserving children cant have it.

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news but as for an SN school, you will probably find that without a statement your DD wont be able to get in. The school can apply for a statement but they have to first show that they have given the maximum amount of help and that despite their "best" efforts, its not improving your childs learning/school experience. Its harsh, you basically have to see your child fall on their knees before you can get that far, especially where (at least I have found) these sorts of problems are involved.

As for Dyspraxia, have a look at this link - http://www.dyspraxiafoundation.org.uk/

Lots of info, support and advice - I found it extremely helpful in understanding Dyspraxia, which my son has. Oh, and when you were told your DD has Dyspraxia, was it clarified as to whether it is Fine or Gross Motor skills impairment? There is a big difference between the two so I would ask them to clarify as this will help you figure out how to help your DD appropriately.

Hope that helps XX

Savvy_Sue

I could be wrong, and the school won't like it, but I thought you could make a formal request to have your child considered for a statement if the school won't do it?

Because it's not the SCHOOL's decision whether or not she would get one. Nor is the SCHOOL's decision whether or not she would get into a s/n school. They can state an opinion, but from previous threads they don't really seem to be paying even lip service to the 'Every Child Matters' mantra.

IPSEA, and google Parent Partnership in your area - think these may have been mentioned before?

System

if school are dragging their heels make the statment application yourself ,we did and although it was initiallly refused when i appealed the lea did not contest it and eventually she was statmented .she has been at a special school for the last yr . its the best thing we could have done for her and although stressful worth the effort.