Dyspraxia

I always recommend Mel Levine’s book Educational Care. It has good suggestions for many LDs in it. Any library or good book store or amazon would have it.

If you daughter was diagnosed outside the school district you need to write a letter to the principal or Special Ed Dir. staying the diagnosis and that you would like your child evaluated for Occupational Therapy. I am assuming that the diagnosis was for either fine motor or gross motor dyspraxia instead of verbal dyspraxia. You might also consider asking for an Assistive Technology evaluation if your child is having drouble with written work. If her hadnwritting is poor I would suggest that she learn keyboarding.

Do a search using “dyspraxia accommodations” and you will come upon information. My son is 13-year-old and has fine motor problems (an outside evaluation in 2nd grade said dyspraxia). He uses the computer for most work but there is still the problem of those worksheets that they have to do in class.

The Mel Levine book is also excellent.

If written expression is a problem you should also request in the same letter an evaluation for Learning Disability in Written Expression which is often refered to as dysgraphia outside the school system. Go to LD In Depth at this site and to the Writing section and take a look at Sue Jones’ article on Classroom Accommodations.

Helen

You could also search using the term “developmental coordination disorder,” which is the American name for the disorder. Dyspraxia can range from very mild to severe. It is quite often (something like 70% of the time) accompanied by ADHD as well as writing difficulties and other learning disabilities. It sometimes does occur without any other comorbid disorders. I have one child who has DCD, ADHD and learning disabilities and one who has only mild DCD that affects his gross motor skills. The problem often improves with age, but can last through adulthood. What accomodations you ask for depends on the nature of your child’s difficulties, but some low tech ideas include a sturdy, straight-backed chair that is the right size for your child (this will make it easier for her to sit for longer periods) and a slant-board to assist with handwriting. Occupational therapy can be extremely helpful, as Helen notes. Using a computer or portable keyboard is a must for children with writing problems. Another good tool is form-scanning software that allows work sheets to be scanned into a computer and answers to be typed directly on the scanned form.

Andrea

Andrea

Have you heard of the book “The LCP [longchain puolyunsturated fatty acids] Solution: the Nutritional Treatment for ADHD, Dyslexia and Dyspraxia” by Dr. Jacqueline Stordy.

I suggest that you read it (available at amazon.com) or go to drstordy.com

I listened to Dr. Jacqueline Stordy talk a few years back and tried the EFALEX with my son for three months I did not notice any difference and I used the dosage Dr. Jacqueline Stordy recommended. I came to the conclusion that if the individual is DHA deficient then it might help and that it would be nice if that could be tested for. I also wondered if the child had dry skin or trouble seeing at night some of the other symptoms of DHA deficiency, if they would more likely benefit.

Helen

Thank you to everyone!
I am so overwhelmed right now with trying to get the information I need to help my daughter. She has had a complete evaluation at the school but was diagnosed by the Neurologist with DMD. She was already labeled Speech and Language Impaired and has had services since K. However, no LD was found using the tests that the school performed most recently. I feel and the Neurologist feel however, that the scatter would indicate that there is in fact an LD. So, we are meeting again hopefully to move forward on isolating the LD. In the meantime I am concerned that her needs are not being met and I am struggling with identifying what those needs are. As i look at information about Dyspraxia I feel fortunate that she does not exhibit any of the behavioral issues since I have some of those issues with my son (14) who is ADHD (no LD). He hates school, although has many good social interactions. I always find it difficult to get his teachers to do what needs to be done. Middle School has been a battle since day one. In light of this experience I am trying to get “all of our ducks in a row” before my daughter gets to the Middle School.
So, at this point I am gathering information, feeling stressed but grateful that I have this as an outlet!
Thank you!