dyspraxia

[wee-janine]

I am concerned that my eight year old may have non-verbal dyspraxia. Any body out there can give me any deffinate pointers.

[EssJay1]

I'm not an expert. I understood dyspraxia to be excessive clumsiness - bumping into large things, getting in the way - and poor fine motor skills - unable to use scissors for delicate cutting out, untidy handwriting, poor colouring in. I don't know what non verbal dyspraxia is, because I thought dyspraxia was non-verbal.

[sophieb]

Hi! my wee boy is nearly nine and has dyspraxia. he could not speak until after he started speech therapy at the age of 3. He still confuses words that sound alike. Sometimes he talks quite fast and often stutters when he is angry or excited. I'm not sure if this is verbal dyspraxia or not as no-one has ever said. as EssJay1 says his other symptoms are excessive clumsiness, poor handwriting and fine motor skills, no awareness of distances to or between objects(hence the clumsiness!). I would suggest you ask for chat with his class teacher who would be able to give you a clearer picture of how he is in school. You could also check in your GP's surgery for any information about a help/advice group in your area. My son has developed good coping skills to deal with it and it hasn't stopped him doing anything. He learnt to do some things later than other kids his age(ride a bike, tie his laces, use a fork and knife together, etc) but he kept trying and eventually got it!

[vehelpfulguy]

My son who is 16 has dyspraxia, and my wife works for a charity that supports children with special needs so I have a lot of knowledge.

You need to talk to your GP who will refer you to experts.

You also need to get a "Statement" as this will help him get extra support like speech and langauge support.

See here:
http://www.dyslexia-parent.com/statement.html

You may also be able to get disability benefits.

More help here. Phone them up and see if there is a local support group.

http://www.dyspraxiafoundation.org.uk/

[wee-janine]

Thanks every one. He displays all the clumsy, motor skills things and disorganisation traits. However his speach is good ,even if his turn of phrase is a little strange. I have talked to his teachers but because he is the baby it is a bit hard to tell if he is not pushing himself because he knows I'll do it for him or if there is anyhing in it. I am waiting for a referal for an assessment now, after going to the doctor. I 'll look at the sites supplied thanks again

[CLOWN TICKLE]

He sounds like me, I have a strange turn of phrase with high verbal skills, one test you can do is

Throw a ball at him so he can catch it
Throw the ball again and ask him to to spin round before catching it,
If he is dyspraxic he will have no idea where the ball has gone

I was taught baking and puzzling to help coordination