Dyspraxia

Dyspraxia

Resources

Characteristics of a special need

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/151951.php

http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_are_the_characteristics_of_children_with_special_needs

http://www.dyspraxiafoundation.org.uk/dyspraxia-children/teachers-help/

http://www.ncld.org/types-learning-disabilities/dyspraxia?gclid=CMqtiqPcw7oCFS8S7AodgCMAmw

The characteristics of a special need child vary. It is often hard to diagnose a disability in childhood because children develop at different rates; just because your child seems to be learning to walk or speak later than other children, does not mean that they have a disability. Most commonly, physical de formations such as widely set eyes are shown before any sign of a learning disability is. If you are concerned that your child may have a special need, your best bet is to go and see a specialist.

By: Catie Hansen

Impact on an individuals school and educational life

How it is Diagnosed

A person with dyspraxia has problems with movement, coordination, judgment, processing, memory and some other cognitive skills. Dyspraxia also affects the body's immune and nervous systems.

Problems performing subtle movements.

Problems carrying out playground movements.

Difficulties with concentration.

The child will fidget more than other children.

Difficulty in learning new skills

Treatment

www.youtube.com/watch?v=h6tplQ3Kac4‎

The National Center for Learning Disabilities

Although dyspraxia is not curable, with time the child can improve.

Occupational therapy

An occupational therapist will first observe how the child manages with everyday functions both at home and at school.

Impact on individual and their family

Many will have difficulties getting dressed

Problems processing thoughts

Some find it hard to go up and down stairs.

A higher tendency to bump into things, to fall over, and to drop things.

Hard to keep friends

Modifications that could be done for a student with this special need

Effective strategies you can use to teach a student with Dyspraxia

Treatment Con.

Teach on a one to one level, with few distractions

Ensure that the child has understood what is being taught

Teach in small bursts

■Speech and language therapy

The speech and language therapist will first carry out an assessment of the child's speech, and then help him/her communicate more effectively.

■Perceptual motor training

This involves improving the child's language, visual, movement, and auditory skills.

Allow the child to visit the school several times and give them a plan of its lay out. They can then study this at home to allow them to become familiar with it.

Comparison is disastrous. Never allow a child with Dyspraxia to be compared to an able child.

Strategies Con.

Praise every effort and every small accomplishment. A Dyspraxic child has been used to failure repeatedly: every effort must be made to raise their self-esteem. When they feel better about themselves they are more likely to relax and learn. This is the obvious situation to strive towards.

Remember that they have difficulty in taking on board information during lessons. Allow them extra time: teach in small bursts, allowing opportunity’s to rest.

Ensure that the child has understood what is being taught, repeat if needed. Check that they are not falling behind because they cannot copy form the blackboard