Dyspraxia

[baldrick]

If your child is diagnosed as dyspraxic, and is statemented as such, he/she can get extra help at school. Dyspraxics usually have difficulty in organisation, and may need help in organising their answers to questions in examinations.
Simple things such as a thick three sided pencil (easier to grip) also help, and they are much better doing their homework on a computer, than writing it out.
Your local authority or NHS trust may also run advice and training courses for children with dyspraxia.

www.dyspraxiafoundation.org

[andy2007]

Although they insist on writing while in Primary School, once your Children reach Secondary School, it is better to type than write. You see, it requires a lot more concentration for Dyspraxics to write, than a "normal" Person. This means that we find it harder to take in what we are being told by a Teacher, whilst copying from the Board at the same time.

There isn't as much writing involved at Primary School level, hence the insistance on writing, as it does improve with practice.

[baldrick]

Another problem which arose when my niece started at secondary school is that she found it difficult finding her way around a large building, and usually turned up to lessons late, getting told of by the teacher, whou thought she was deliberately malingering. Her mother had to see the teacher to explain the problem. We told my niece just to follow the other kids from her class, which worked well except for lessons where they were split into different ability groups. Now in her third year she does know the school layout.

[andy2007]

Didn't the Headmaster explain to the teachers that this would happen?
That (thankfully) wasn't a problem for me, although I did have to put up with my classmates making fun of me for being late all the time.

Does she have trouble remembering to bring homework in on the right day too?
That was a big problem for me, although they did try giving me a homework diary, which I often forgot to check.

Luckily, I lived close to the School, so I was often allowed to call home for it during my dinner break.

[leiwolf]

Thanks for posting this, i was totally unaware of Dyspraxia, we've been concerned for our 5 year old son and these symptoms mirror some of the things we have noticed with him

Even when you bring it to the attention of Doctors it doesn't mean that they will take you seriously at first, it's often a struggle. We recognised the signs in my Daughter very early, but we were told repeatedly that we were being paranoid, because of the problems that I had, had with Dyspraxia. It wasn't until she was 6 (three years after we first asked for help) that they finally diagnosed it. This is particularly worrying, as the earlier it is diagnosed, the better the chances of minimising the effects.

Believe it or not, there are still a lot of Doctors who haven't even heard of Dyspraxia. Which is probably why so many people don't get diagnosed till they are teenagers. I was lucky, in that my Parents fought to get something done about my learning difficulties, and I was sent to a specialist who did know about Dyspraxia. I was diagnosed a couple of years after starting Primary School. But even so, by the time I started Secondary School, I was way behind. It was only when I was allowed to type, instead of writing, that I was able to catch up, and get some decent qualifications.

These days, we have organisations like the Dyspraxia Foundation, who can give help and support. Even though you don't yet have a diagnosis, I strongly reccomend that you contact them. They will be able to give you advice on getting your Son assessed properly.

Must admit i was quite lucky getting a diagnosis through the school education system, however doctors don't seem to understand what dyspraxia is so sometimes i feel like am fighting a losing battle. Its nice to see that i am not alone at royal mail with dyspraxia, I must admit i do struggle, but sometimes even tho most of my work mates are great, i feel that most people i work with don't understand about it, and sometimes its leads to a confrontation with various peoples and management


Andy Danda is a neaurodiverse group based in london but covers the whole of Uk. Try www.danda.org.uk, they are quite helpful

[leiwolf]

Sorry Andy its www.danda.co.uk hope that helps

[baldrick]

Didn't the Headmaster explain to the teachers that this would happen?
That (thankfully) wasn't a problem for me, although I did have to put up with my classmates making fun of me for being late all the time.

Does she have trouble remembering to bring homework in on the right day too?
That was a big problem for me, although they did try giving me a homework diary, which I often forgot to check.

Luckily, I lived close to the School, so I was often allowed to call home for it during my dinner break.

The school seemed unaware of the problems caused by dyspraxia. Her mother gave them a copy of Vicki Biggs' book.
And yes, she does have problems organising her homework. She does have a homework diary, but often doesn't put in what she is supposed to do. We talk to her each evening about what homework she has been set, and when it is due in, and usually manage to get it in on time - she is good at doing it when she knows what needs to be done.

Does the spatial recognition problem cause problems for delivery posties with dyspraxia? I would think it would take longer to get to know a delivery route, and must be difficult if you are a reserve and on different routes all the time.

[andy2007]

Didn't the Headmaster explain to the teachers that this would happen?
That (thankfully) wasn't a problem for me, although I did have to put up with my classmates making fun of me for being late all the time.

Does she have trouble remembering to bring homework in on the right day too?
That was a big problem for me, although they did try giving me a homework diary, which I often forgot to check.

Luckily, I lived close to the School, so I was often allowed to call home for it during my dinner break.

The school seemed unaware of the problems caused by dyspraxia. Her mother gave them a copy of Vicki Biggs' book.
And yes, she does have problems organising her homework. She does have a homework diary, but often doesn't put in what she is supposed to do. We talk to her each evening about what homework she has been set, and when it is due in, and usually manage to get it in on time - she is good at doing it when she knows what needs to be done.

Does the spatial recognition problem cause problems for delivery posties with dyspraxia? I would think it would take longer to get to know a delivery route, and must be difficult if you are a reserve and on different routes all the time.

If my crap sense of direction is anything to go by, then yes, it would. That's one of the advantages of working in an RDC. It's all indoor work, unless you go onto Driving, and GPS systems aren't very expensive any more.

Would a GPS be any use while doing a walk?
I don't have one myself, but presumably they would be accurate enough to help you find your way around a Delivery Route.

[baldrick]

Although they insist on writing while in Primary School, once your Children reach Secondary School, it is better to type than write. You see, it requires a lot more concentration for Dyspraxics to write, than a "normal" Person. This means that we find it harder to take in what we are being told by a Teacher, whilst copying from the Board at the same time.

There isn't as much writing involved at Primary School level, hence the insistance on writing, as it does improve with practice.

I take it your daughter uses a laptop at school then. We have thought about getting my niece a laptop for school, but think she would probably lose it. Due to the organising problems she often loses stuff- bags, PE kit, etc.

[andy2007]

Although they insist on writing while in Primary School, once your Children reach Secondary School, it is better to type than write. You see, it requires a lot more concentration for Dyspraxics to write, than a "normal" Person. This means that we find it harder to take in what we are being told by a Teacher, whilst copying from the Board at the same time.

There isn't as much writing involved at Primary School level, hence the insistance on writing, as it does improve with practice.

I take it your daughter uses a laptop at school then. We have thought about getting my niece a laptop for school, but think she would probably lose it. Due to the organising problems she often loses stuff- bags, PE kit, etc.

No, it was me, who was allowed to type in Class. My Daughter is still in Primary School, and so she is still expected to manage with writing.

I wouldn't worry about buying a Laptop, as they should be able to provide her with one at School. There are funds provided for such things, although she wouldn't be able to take it home with her.

When I was at School, they hadn't invented Laptops, and the Compaq Portable (the only one on the market at the time) was far too expensive. So I used a Typewriter, the noise of it used to annoy my Classmates. Thank God they have nice quiet Laptops these days!

[leiwolf]

I am expected to cope like the others, the office and the managers won't help anyway, the DOM even went as far as to tell me that i wasn't getting a fulltime contact due to the fact that in his words suffering from an illness. I gave up in the end, as the then union rep was a useless person

[baldrick]

I would have thought that your DOM and managers should make allowances for your disability. Are you registered as having a disability? Perhaps you should contact your CWU Branch's Equality Officer, who might be able to give you some help.
Best of luck mate.

[andy2007]

I am expected to cope like the others, the office and the managers won't help anyway, the DOM even went as far as to tell me that i wasn't getting a fulltime contact due to the fact that in his words suffering from an illness. I gave up in the end, as the then union rep was a useless person

They have no right to prevent you getting a Full Time Contract, because of your Dyspraxia. They try to get around this, by claiming that they have to have something in writing to prove that you are telling the truth about your problems. But you shouldn't have a problem getting that from your Specialist, even if you haven't seen him/her for years. They keep such details in your Medical Records.

Don't let them get away with this!

[leiwolf]

I am expected to cope like the others, the office and the managers won't help anyway, the DOM even went as far as to tell me that i wasn't getting a fulltime contact due to the fact that in his words suffering from an illness. I gave up in the end, as the then union rep was a useless person

They have no right to prevent you getting a Full Time Contract, because of your Dyspraxia. They try to get around this, by claiming that they have to have something in writing to prove that you are telling the truth about your problems. But you shouldn't have a problem getting that from your Specialist, even if you haven't seen him/her for years. They keep such details in your Medical Records.

Don't let them get away with this!

Unfortunatly its trying to prove that tho, and what bothers me is the imtimidations and the retribution that will poss happen if i take this further. Manager already pulled me and had a go becaus ei mention that i would be seeking legal advice. Nearly got suspended because I told one the floating managers to F*** Off because he was winding me up, and that was the last excuse the manager gave for reason Not to give me a full time contract.