Kay Pollock
Hello Allison, My son, age 9, also has dyspraxia. The Dyspraxia Foundation in England is very helpful and has a web site. We are American and feel all alone with the information available to us here. We joined the Dyspraxia Foundation and ordered several brochures and pamphlets that have been tremendously helpful to share with his teachers. He was diagnosed about the same age as your son, had speech in school, although never diagnosed with apraxia, and saw a physical therapist between Kindergarten and 1st grade. Swimming lessons have proven to be a wonderful therapy. He understands his disability, and through some wonderful teachers has learned to concentrate on his strengths and accept his weaknesses. His difficulties include: easily frustrated, poor handwriting, needs directions broken apart, very clumsy and poor at ball sports and he flaps his arms when he's excited. We are happy to report, that with early intervention, he has learned to read(already at the 6th grade reading level) and is accelerated in math. We have learned to be patient and encourage him not to give up trying (his favorite phrase is "I'll never be able to...") and we have consistently seen him succeed with lots of support and encouragement. Like I said before, concentrate on his strengths, it is so easy in the beginning to become so overwhelmed with the difficulties that we forget these kids can have a lot going for them. Contact the Dyspraxia Foundation. If you do not live in the United Kingdom, you will need to send Pounds Sterling and we have found the cheapest way to do this is through Foreign Travelers Checks you can get at large banks or AAA. Feel free to contact me - I still remember the early years and all the concerns. You need to be his advocate and make sure all who deal with him are versed in the disability. Take care, Kay