Private Occupational Therapist to Screen for Dyspraxia: Scotland

[bettyhen]

My 7 year old son is (in my opinion) very bright and his reading age is way above his real age. However, he can't write properly and hates school because of this. I have asked to be referred to an OT to see if he's dyspraxic or whether he just doesn't want to write. There is a massive waiting list though. I am trying to find a private OT in Scotland but to no avail. Does anyone know of one?

[cmuir]

My 7 year old son is (in my opinion) very bright and his reading age is way above his real age. However, he can't write properly and hates school because of this. I have asked to be referred to an OT to see if he's dyspraxic or whether he just doesn't want to write. There is a massive waiting list though. I am trying to find a private OT in Scotland but to no avail. Does anyone know of one?

 

 

My son has great difficulty writing and he's dysgraphic. During the course of being assessed for this, it also transpires he's dyspraxia. Although they are both separate disorders, it is not uncommon for a child on the spectrum to have more than one disorder. It is worth checking this out.

 

I was going to go down the private route, but found Scottish professionals very difficult. Once they started asking questions about who my son's Ed Psych was (Principal Ed Psych), it was clear I was going to get nowhere. I actually bypassed education professionals (incl OT) and went back to my son's Specialist who made the diagnoses. However, if you do wish to go down the private route, look at the dyslexia scotland website:

 

http://www.dyslexiascotland.org.uk/getting-assessed

 

Best wishes

 

Caroline.

[bettyhen]

Thanks for your swift reply. It is much appreciated. We only moved to Scotland in August and my son was assessed as ASD in England. We have been referred to CAMHS in Stirling but our first appointment is in January. I don't know how they will react to my questioning about dyspraxia. I hadn't heard of dysgraphia but perhaps that is a more likely diagnosis than dyspraxia. Was it through CAMHs that you got the diagnosis of dysgraphia?

 

I had thought of looking at this organisation - http://www.mlcscotland.com -but know nothing of them other than their claims that they can help!

Edited December 20, 2010 by bettyhen

[cmuir]

Thanks for your swift reply. It is much appreciated. We only moved to Scotland in August and my son was assessed as ASD in England. We have been referred to CAMHS in Stirling but our first appointment is in January. I don't know how they will react to my questioning about dyspraxia. I hadn't heard of dysgraphia but perhaps that is a more likely diagnosis than dyspraxia. Was it through CAMHs that you got the diagnosis of dysgraphia?

 

I had thought of looking at this organisation - http://www.mlcscotland.com -but know nothing of them other than their claims that they can help!

 

 

Hi

 

CAMHS remit seems to vary from region to region, so I don't know whether CAMHS assess for dysgraphia, dyspraxia, etc as their main remit is mental health (though mental health can be affected by such difficulties). In Edinburgh, there's a clinic called the Communication Clinic (NHS, part of Sick Kid's Hospital, but separate to CAMHS). My son was referred there when he was 3 for assessment for AS. I ended up phoning my son's consultant there and advised of my difficulties getting anyone (specifically OT, who is part of the Education Authority) to assess. I happened to know that there was a child in the same class as my son who was being assessed for AS by same consultant, and so she suggested (after a few subtle hints) that she visit school and assess both boys separately. So, I guess we were lucky.

 

I have to be honest, although at times I've been tempted to go down the private route, I haven't. In some instances in Edinburgh I've heard of private diagnoses being disregarded, and that's the danger. Instead I've been very persistent. Might be an idea to see how your appointment goes in January, but also your son's school for input. You could also contact his Ed Psych (if he has one, and if not, ask for one to be appointed). Tell them how this is affecting your son and ask for a response in writing. It's a very grey area, since my son's OT is based at our LEA and not hospital. She made is crystal clear she didn't approve of labels, which frankly annoyed me (and I told her so). It was clear I was going to get nowhere.

 

Caroline.

[bettyhen]

Thanks for your advice. I will ask for an ed psych referral perhaps that will be forthcoming from CAMHss my son's behaviour after Christmas has been dreadful: intense anger and physical aggression. He's been hitting, biting and kicking and we are all feeling anxious and fraught because of it. .

 

We did go to see the movement and learning centre and are going to give that a go as it should speed up work with the motor skills. We have got a referral to OT but it's apparently a TWO year wait so we feel we need to do something. My son loved the therapist so that's a positive.

[smiley1590]

your sons behaviour is probably lashing out physically being angry aggressive because he feels frustrated and confused his behaviour probably got worse due to christmas period as 'different' from 'normal' regular routine he is used to he probably anxious and maybe because he can verbalise and express how he feels this leads to physical lashing out. i have been in same situation as your son being angry ,agressive physically lashing out hard to gain control when in your mind and life 'everything' feels so fara way out of control and from your reach/grasp! i can understand why you are all feeling anxious as sounds like you need alot support and input as a family unit and your son individually! i have both dyspraxia and A.S i had intense OT when i was in juniors school exercises should improve work on skills that are mssing or lacking due to dyspraxia

 

XKX

[bettyhen]

Thanks for your reply. I think he is anxious and that manifests itself negatively. He was certainly worried last night as he was up from 1.30 til 5.30 for a variety of reasons - all really associated with going back to school today I think. At least he had the reassurance of knowing he could tell everyone he was in his Dr Who magazine - a photo of him and his snow dalek - which gives him something to talk about!

[smiley1590]

anxiety will affect his sleep pattern aswell having A.S i struggle to get to sleep i don't got bed until 1am/2am/3am/4am early hours of morning! think it because my head and thoughts won't calm down ,relax wind down switch off pause and stop i found lavender helps me relax and chill to help me sleep i have teddy that has lavender sack it which can put in microwave or have a bath with lavender bubble bath does he listen to music this may help drift him off to sleep? does he watch TV or go on computer before bed? why don't make a bed routine together sit down and plan it out this may help! i was same today about going back to work today since xmas i felt nervous anxious takes awhile for your body and mind to adjust and settle down! so can sympathise with your son!

 

XKLX