Practical Tips for explaining dyspraxia to people in positions of authority

Hi again,

One tip that we found very useful was to produce our own information pack to give to people in positions of authority who knew nothing about dyspraxia - but who had a big impact on parts of Anthony's week.

So I'm including:-

• Class Teachers
• Head Teachers / Principals
• Music teachers
• Employers
• Sports coaches
• Scout / Guides leaders
• Especially family and close friends who might be "baby-sitting"

Now I'm not talking a major dossier - or 'War and Peace' here.

Just a couple of concise pages of information you can put together yourself.

For Anthony we used

• his educational psychology report
• a letter from prevous teacher ... and employers (when he was older)
• a definition of dyspraxia, its symptoms, what was behind the symptoms .. and tactics (mostly encouragement) that worked best with Anthony.

Also there are some great tips on the major dyspraxia organisation websites for :-

TEACHERS


http://www.dyspraxiafoundation.org.uk/services/gu_teachers.php

and


EMPLOYERS

http://www.dyspraxiafoundation.org.uk/services/ad_employers.php

It worked for us and Anthony .. so hope it will help you too.

Please post your comments below.

Thanks

Des

Is Dyspraxia a bit embarrasing

Hi there,

I got a couple of emails recently from other parts of the globe ...
...that gave me a kick in the pants to keep going with this blog.

I do hope it is helping a little bit.

One of the emails reminded me that ... admitting that your child has this thing called dyspraxia is to be honest a little bit embarrasing, both for the child .. and the parent.

First of all most people mix it up with dyslexia ..

so you have to explain .... that it's not that ..

and although most people are polite, it feels slightly shaming to reveal that the apple of your eye is not able to do a lot of the run of the mill things that other kids take for granted.

I'll be really blunt here ... because in my down periods .. I attributed my son's lack of skills as a direct consequence of my own capabilities .. whether that's genetic or learned by experience.

And I really didn't like the thought that people would label me "not the sharpest knife in the drawer"

... I'm ashamed to say .. that I was 'truly ashamed' when all my friends and colleagues were saying what a superstar their little Johnny or Jenny was .. and how they are sooo brilliant at everything.....

It's natural to be proud of your kid .. .

But doesn't it make you sick when they rub it in ???

I'm sorry to say I became very adept at changing the subject rather than admit Anthony was not able either academically or athletically - to get out of the bottom quartile by society's standards.

What I would say to you .. is .... just swallow your pride and dig deep .. never give up on your child ... no matter how frustrating or embarrasing the situation.

You need a lot of patience and tolerance with a dyspraxic kid.

And if there's one thing that I just can't stand .. it's intolerance ...

..(That's a little joke by the way !)

I think Mum's are possibly more nurturing and protective by nature .. whereas Dads are typically more competitive.

Everyone wants their kids to be a better version of themselves..

But truth is everyone is different... and there is no guarantee of that.

So my advice ...Just hang in there

...and show your kid ALL the patience you can muster.

Persevere .. and it WILL all pay off.

Cheers till next time.

Des
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