Ive just been told my 5 year old son as Dyspraxia...?

Question

Dyspraxia as syptoms such as:

Difficulties controlling the speech organs.

Learning basic movement patterns.

Establishing the correct pencil grip.

Poor balance (sometimes even falling over in mid-step). Tripping over one's own feet is also not uncommon.

This disorder can cause an individual to be clumsy to the point of knocking things over and bumping into people accidentally.

Slow language development.

Many other syptoms...

How can the hospital help him? Will he have Dyspraxia all his life? What could have caused this? I am worried for my little boy makes me want to cry =,(

Answer 1

There are alot of reasons for dyspraxia such as head trauma or stoke. There is no knowing when or how it happened but you certainly must not blame yourself for having done anything wrong. 5 years is an early age for the diagnosis and you have the right to a second opinion as well. Try to relax and realize that your little boy is simply going to learn different, and behave different than his normally developing peers and there is nothing wrong with that. It's hard and will take time to accept his challenges. Just take things step by step - a diagnosis is a great thing. My 3 year old has no other diagnosis than "developmental delays." - Like that tells me alot! They cannot say what is permanent and what is not during the early years of a child's life. The whole diagnosis thing is very hard when a child is little because you won't get alot of answers. Just make sure to take the doctors recommendations as far as therapy and early intervention because the earlier he receives assistance the better off he will be for his entire life.

Answer 2

Don't panic! I am both dyslexic (disordered mind) and dyspraxic (disordered body). I used to be a forensic scientist and am now studying for my PhD so these things are obviously no barrier to him doing exactly what he wants in his life. Yes it makes you clumsy (I am always covered in bruises and I have no idea where they come from most of the time) and I find speaking difficult under pressure (my mouth just won't work properly) but with a little practice and possibly spacial awareness training there is no reason for you to feel bad. Some people are just born with it. It won't go away but he'll develop coping mechanisms. My advice is let him be what he wants to be, don't try and wrap him in cotton wool. Let him know that he has this thing when he's old enough to understand but don't let him use it as an excuse. Let him know that he is able to do whatever he wants in life and the little blip of being dyspraxic is just another thing to motivate him. Then he can say "look how well I've done even though I've got dyspraxia"

Good luck to him! :-)

EDIT: Forgot to say that my friends find me toppling or tripping over my own feet very funny (although I just find it embarrasing I can see their point) and I daren't wear high heels for the fear of it happening from a great hight. Although I imagine your son won't come accross that particular problem. :-)

Answer 3

Dyspraxia is a problem like dyslexia bu you caught it early  I would recommend treating him no different to any child apart from being understanding when he is clumsy or loud there are all types of help available to him from school right up to collage and there is no reason he cant lead a productive and full life.

Answer 4

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

Try that website.

I have dyspraxia, aside from being rather 'clumsy' and terrible at most sports it has not been much of a hindrance.

Answer 5

I am not very familiar with the disorder, however I did find some websites that may be useful.

Google Groups or Yahoo Groups may also be a good place to search - discussion with parents may help you work through any issues.

Don't cry, either... Summon the courage to forge ahead - be strong, hug your son, and keep very active in his care and therapy. You can be his anchor and his strength to succeed and grow!

Answer 6

god i've read through the symptoms and it sound like my son. I wish i had some words of wisdom for yo however i dont. I'm sorry to hear your upset but the main thing is he's healthy and happy and thats what matters. Take care hun.

Answer 7

goodness i am very open minded and say things when I'm not supposed to i cannot bounce a basketball normally always had troble in holding my pencil in elementary i am 23 and a few days ago i was standing in the movie theatre and just fell straight down out of no where and alwas stump my toes and always knock over someones glass at the table and i have never been diagnosed with anything!