Occupational Therapy Scotland
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Dyspraxia 

Specialist services for children and adults

We can help children, their parents and teachers

​What to do if you think YOUR CHILD may have Dyspraxia / DCD:​​
  1. ​​Speak to your GP to rule out any other medical cause.
  2. Your GP may refer you to see a paediatrician. A multi-disciplinary team which includes occupational therapists should be part of the diagnostic process and be able to offer therapy.

PLEASE NOTE: Many years ago Elizabeth MacDonald set up a NHS diagnostic and therapy service for children with dyspraxia. She would recommend you follow the advice and speak to your GP.

​
If there is a waiting list for diagnosis, ask how long you need to wait. We do not need a diagnosis to see you and can offer assessment and therapy advice for specific issues such as handwriting, sensory issues and poor fine motor skills.   

We can help adults

We can help adults who think dyspraxia may be affecting their life. 
We can
  • give you an expert opinion as to whether dyspraxia is affecting your life.
  • provide coaching sessions to help you achieve your goals or find ways round the difficulties your are experiencing in life. 
  • carry out specific assessment as to what would assist you for your employer or college/university. A formal diagnosis, although not necessary, can be useful if you are pursuing adjustments to help you in formal education or with employers.

What to do if you think YOU may be affected by Dyspraxia/DCD and want a formal diagnosis:
  1. Speak to your GP to rule out any medical cause of your difficulties.
  2. Ask your GP is they will make a formal diagnosis.
  3. We can do an assessment and provide a report if your GP needs this to make a diagnosis.​

What is dyspraxia?

What is Dyspraxia?
Dyspraxia is a term used in the UK to describe a collection of difficulties which interfere with everyday activities such as handwriting, learning, playing sports, learning to ride a bike or drive a car. It can also be called Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD).

How does it present?
Individuals vary in how their difficulties present but they will be evident from early childhood, have a significant impact on life, and persist into adulthood. Adults who have not had access to a specialist as a child often wonder why so m any things in life as so challenging and experience issues in many areas of life including further education, employment, learning to drive a car, DIY and relationships. People with Dyspraxia may have related conditions such as ADHS, Dyslexia, ASD, sensory processing difficulties.

Difficulties may include:
· Awkward movement, falling over nothing, bumping into things
· Using a knife and fork
· Fine movements such as needed to manipulate small object or do up buttons
· Ability to play with age appropriate toys and play activities
· Learning complex new tasks e.g. joining up letters, riding a bike, tying shoe laces, driving a car
· Slow or illegible handwriting
· Time management, organization and planning self and things
· Forgetfulness or difficulty remembering instructions
· Anxiety
· Underachievement at school
· Sensory e.g. sensitivity to loud or unexpected noise, tolerance of clothing labels/seams/textures, excitable with difficulty calming, fussy eater, prone to meltdowns, fidgety

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  • Home
  • How we can help
    • Autism
    • sensory differences
    • teenagers
    • Dyspraxia
    • Therapy for older people >
      • Therapy in Care Homes - seating
      • Preventing falls
      • Therapy for Dementia
  • About Us