Dyspraxia and Behaviour

March 3rd, 2009

Hi. I purchased your book a few weeks ago and was most impressed. I am even more convinced that my 5 year old daughter has dyspraxia (still waiting on a paediatricians appointment for definite diagnosis, but at last check, she fits around 30 or so of your criteria on the checklist – definitely motor, with some verbal). At present she attends Prep, but only from 9am-12pm, because the strain on her brain makes her tired! However, I have been phoned by the school several times as early as 10.30am because she has hit/pushed/kicked another child. She was recently excluded for 2 days (school policy) when she kicked a teacher in the head after she tried to get her to go to the ‘quiet room’ after a block throwing incident. Whilst the school is being really good about it, they (and rightly so, I guess) seem to be focusing on getting funding for help with the academic side of things. Do you have any suggestions as to how to curb the sudden violent outbursts – they seem to be a social thing (ie, not wanting to share or have someone join her if she was playing her own game with a toy first, or if someone suddenly decides they don’t want to play anymore and she still wants to play with them). Obviously some are from frustration, or from not being permitted to finish her task before she’s ready etc – something the school should keep in mind I feel.. (She takes a long time to calm down too). I’m sorry if I sound desperate – what it boils down to is that my husband and I really don’t care (well, we do) if she never learns to read and write and add up. We are more concerned that if her outbursts are not somehow controlled, she could potentially grow up to be a very dangerous human being (especially if she grows as tall/well built as us). No doubt you’ve heard of the PPP (parenting program) – well, it doesn’t work! (I have 3 other perfectly well adjusted, healthy girls aged 9, 4 and 2). I hope you can shed some light on this for me. Any help will be greatly appreciated.

Hi,
Dyspraxia is a very significant learning problem and it takes a lot longer for these kids to understand the world and work out how to interact with it, but they do eventually. By adult hood she will have worked it out.

Have you downloaded the 10 tips sheet on how to handle dyspraxic kids? our school should take notice of this. it is very hard for her and they must adapt for her as well. If she is subjected to a sudden change of timetable of events etc she will be very frustrated.

They should not suddenly alter or stop he doing something as this will stress her. try asking for consultations with an Occupational Therapist. I believe you are allowed 5 free in Australia. S/he may be able to help.

Please remember that she will work this out for herself by the time she is grown up, as long as you follow up what is written in my book.
get back to me if you need specifics.
cheers
Dawn

Entry Filed under: Dyspraxia,General