Does anyone have experience with Dyspraxia or DCD?

[hookedup]

My ds (5) has been diagnosed with DCD or Global Dyspraxia. I have gotten books and other info about it but would love to connect with someone who has firsthand experience. Thanks! C.J.

 

[disykat]

My son had dyspraxia of speech. He is 10 now. For him, it doesn't seem to be a "global" issue - at least not in physical coordination. He does have some issues with organizing his thoughts when talking, writing, or completing tasks. No one I've talked to seems to have any info on this problem or can confirm my feelings that it's dyspraxia related. He compensates well and just sort of comes off as sloppy.

 

[hookedup]

My son had dyspraxia of speech. He is 10 now. For him, it doesn't seem to be a "global" issue - at least not in physical coordination. He does have some issues with organizing his thoughts when talking, writing, or completing tasks. No one I've talked to seems to have any info on this problem or can confirm my feelings that it's dyspraxia related. He compensates well and just sort of comes off as sloppy.

I have found a lot of info that discusses how the processing issues that can affect speech also are related to organization - completing tasks, organzing thoughts.
My ds's issues are motor coordination related but he does have some articulation issues too. He cannot write or draw at all and has great difficulty with coordinating his hands and arms in activities.

 

[Huggles]

Have a look at 'Brain Gym' exercises...if you google it there will be loads of hits. They are easy things to do and take very little time. Eyes following their thumb as it traces a figure 8. Writing the figure 8 in the air, right hand reaching down to raised left knee, left hand down to raised right knee etc.

Our child had difficulty with speech, writing and co-ordination and we tried these exercises....what a difference they made to her. Prior to using them she never crossed the mid-line ( imagine a line between your eyes splitting your body in half) If things were on her left HS for a puzzle she would use her left hand to lift and place with difficulty (she is right handed) Now she reaches across to her left HS with her right etc. Her speech improved and her co-ordination is now great...she can ice-skate, play sports ( although she is ambidextrous for sport which causes its own set of problems!)

There are booklets and leaflets available with the exercises in them and maybe your library could obtain them for you. A book we liked is (although it gets technical in places)
'Smart Moves' Why learning is not all in your head. by Carla Hannaford

Actually, must start the exercises again to see if it will pep things up again!
Good luck.

 

[Pixiedust34]

My ds has apraxia (dyspraxia) of speech. He is 9 y.o. and has been in speech therapy since age 1. He has made a lot of progress, though he still has quite a way to go.

His speech problems leak into language issues in his writing skills/grammar/word usage. This is especially true as he gets older and needs to do more writing assignments for school. On top of this, I wouldn't be surprised to find that he has a touch of dysgraphia (difficulty w/handwriting), but he's never been formally tested for that. I discovered a handwriting program called Handwriting Without Tears (www.hwtears.com) that is wonderful for kids who have a difficult time with handwriting.

If you are able to find some good therapists, you might be amazed at the progress you'll see. It's a long haul at times, though progress CAN be made!

 

[hookedup]

Thank you for some great info! I had not heard of the Brain Gym.
We have HWT and although ds does not like to do it we have been plugging away. He has been to so many evaluations and appts the past few months I hate pushing him to do it too much. He can't cross the midline (something we are working on with the OT) he also has a hard time walking up and down stairs, basic coordination and a lot of self care stuff.
I am just so worried about his future in school because he is very bright but so easily distracted and so uncoordinated and disorganized. He has a wonderful teacher this year but I worry about next year and beyond. He has a tough road ahead and that breaks my heart.

 

[Huggles]

Don't get too worried about it . I know it's difficult not to, ( I've been there and got the tee shirt!) but you have acted early and got things moving to help him. Do try the brain gym if you can...we made it into a sort of game and we all took part. It doesn't need to take too long, maybe a few minutes now and again and you can do the lazy 8s in the car etc. The book I mentioned actually has an exercise called a 'hook-up' ( must be destined for you ) which has been used by the author to help ADHD kids and kids with high stress levels. I find it helps me in times of stress too!

Anyway, you're doing all hte right things so don't go worrying yourself. The wee chap might surprise you all!

 

[Huggles]

I forgot to say that the lazy 8s are when you trace/make the shape of a figure 8 ON ITS SIDE..so crossing the midline. Sorry!