Anyone got a child who is dyspraxic?

Question

Can you tell me more about dyspraxia, the practical everyday stuff not the theories on the internet please as have looked at loads of websites already. I have a nephew who matches up with lots of the criteria but health officials not exactly helpful. I am in the U.k.
Cheers.

Answer 1

My younger sister (now 18) has dyspraxia, she was diagnosed at the age of about 7 or 8 after several mis-diagnoses beforehand and years of assuming it as 'laziness', 'naughtiness', 'ADD' etc by teachers at her school.

The main problems were concentration, co-ordination and concept of time and speed. 'Simple things' like catching a ball, tying shoe laces were difficult to grasp, same as crossing a road (couldn't judge speed and timing of cars coming towards her, resulting in getting hit by a car when she was about 14). But you learn how to adapt routines and daily life to work around these things. The other usual things poor spelling/composing of sentences, although very articulate in speaking, they just can't convey it in writing. Being very bright and picking things up easily, but being unable to replicate things.
Also other things like extreme fussiness and neatness, bordering on OCD, (especially with food, eating food on a plate in a certain order etc). Another thing which we thought was just the way she was, was not liking being touched, like being hugged, sat too closely to, hand on her arm/shoulder while talking to her, arm round her etc... we later found this was a typical trait of someone with dyspraxia which was only 'found out about' in more recent years.

We learned how to deal with certain things to make it easier for her (and ourselves) and she is now a fine young lady who doesn't seem any different to people who don't know she has dyspraxia. Schools didn't really know a lot about it 10 years ago and they tended to group her in with dyslexic people, however the needs are different in a lot of ways. However as time went on and more was learned about it the schools were a lot better with help and assistance. More time is needed in tests and exams which schools should be aware of, so that they have a fair chance of being able to write down everything they want to get across as it takes longer.

The only slight problem she had was learning to drive due to the not so good co-ordination, sense of time/speed, concentration etc but has managed perfectly well with the right instructor who knows to give her more time and keep explaining things over and over so it sinks in.

Answer 2

Hi Donna my son and I both have dyspraxia, i have a suspicion that my grandfather was the same as my grandma says he never knew his left from his right, i had to fight to get dyspraxia listed on his statement of educational needs, he has access to speech therapy physio and occupational therapy too! he is profoundly deaf too. I have found the dyspraxia foundation to be very helpful and have several books one of which how to understand and support children with dyspraxia by lois addy is excelent(i got my copy from amazon) you should press the education department for more help with your nephew get a test done if you can to be sure he has dyspraxia, if you get him statmented for it you should be able to access more help! Hope this is of some use to you.

Answer 3

I don't have a child who's dyspraxic; I AM dyspraxic. For me it means that I do everything slowly. I've only known about it for the past five years but I think I've built up a coping mechanism. I was called a clumsy child and it infuriated me that I wrote so slowly. I work as a carer and frustrate my colleagues (even thought they know and some even understand) because I can't make my muscles go any faster because my coping mechanism for fumbling was to do everything slowly and deliberately, now that's the only way I can do it.

I only wear slip on shoes because laces are a nightmare ... plus I can only tie them the baby way with two loops. I've never been able to figure out the one loop method.

Answer 4

Apraxia/dyspraxia has to do with not being able to program your articulators to say what you want. I have a friend with a daughter with apraxia and have worked with several children. Therapy involves a lot of repetition of successively harder syllable and word targets. My friend's Dr. suggested that she create a "word wall" with velcro and work on a "letter of the week". With preschoolers, I like to sing a lot of nonsense songs (di di di, da, da, da, do, do, do) with repetitive consonant-vowel combinations. In the US, there is a technique called PROMPT, which uses "hands on" tactile cues for how to position the lips, tongue, etc... It really helps to give input through as many sensory channels as possible. Also, there are different types of apraxia. Your nephew may have trouble programming his articulators for speech, but not have difficulty with oral non-speech task, such as blowing kisses or sucking through a straw. Good luck!

Answer 5

http://www.dyspraxiaireland.com/

My neice has that and shes to go to a special school for one to one teaching.She cant coordinate her self example kick a ball ride a bike. Her speach is very poor and her brain cant tell her when she needs a pee and sometimes she wets her self but other wise she is a very bright clever wee girl in her own ways she will still have a normal happy life because this was picked up on early shes only 4 she will always have this but they are working on it to make it easier for her to cope hope this is helpfull for you and good luck

It was found out by her speach theripist and a child physicologist
and they recomended going to a special school

we also stay in the uk so if you need any more info about it my email address is [e-mail] or [e-mail] or visit the above web site

Answer 6

Don't give up my son as special needs no 1 would listen even though he as a half brother with autism. go to doctors and don't leave until u have been refer ed to a specialist it will take time and energy and a long battle even if they agree to your nephew having slight problems i have been to a tribunal we won in the end but battle no over yet until he finishes school

Answer 7

Your child would benefit from physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy with a logopaedist (speech pathologist). Ask the paediatrician for referrals.

Answer 8

Didn't know what that was so follow link below and goodness very informative!
Hope it helps you.

Answer 9

You can read about it here : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dyspraxia