Schools which have a number of children (aged 3-11) about whom they are concerned may arrange an assessment day to be held at their school during which each individual child will receive a full assessment lasting approximately 1½ – 2 hours. This assessment is capable of providing a diagnosis of Dyspraxia / Developmental Co-ordination Disorder (DCD) as well as highlighting specific areas of difficulty and the underlying reasons for these. One such reason may be retained primitive reflexes which can cause movement, learning, emotional and behavioural challenges.

During the assessment, structured clinical observations are made through the observation of specific movements and activities appropriate to the age of the child. The assessment will be fun and the child will not be aware of any failure. A neurological examination may be carried out and standardised assessments are also used, including the Movement Assessment Battery for Children (Movement ABC-2). This assessment is an important part in the diagnostic process for DCD, (which is now the preferred diagnostic label, as opposed to more commonly used names such as dyspraxia and clumsy child syndrome). A child scoring below the 15th percentile on this standardised test of motor skill may qualify for a diagnosis of DCD. This diagnosis can be confirmed by the additional use of the Movement ABC-2 Checklist to ascertain whether there is significant interference with academic achievement or activities of daily living, and the administration of the Kaufman Brief Intelligence Test (second edition) in order to verify that the child’s intellectual ability is not below normal and thus that any motor co-ordination problems are not due to more pervasive developmental problems. (Of course, diagnosis also assumes the absence of other relevant neurological conditions such as cerebral palsy, hemiplegia or muscular dystrophy).

A maximum of 3 children can be assessed in a day but multiple days may be arranged. A parent, guardian or teacher should accompany each child during his/her individual assessment so that any difficulties can be highlighted and explained at the time. Following the assessment, reports are sent to the child’s parents, GP and teacher.

The school may then arrange weekly individual treatment sessions and/or classes for these children with Dyspraxia, Developmental Co-ordination Disorder (DCD) or other co-ordination difficulties. These sessions incorporate therapeutic exercises, games and activities targeted at improving:

Each weekly class lasts 90 minutes. Regular assessments measure progress and ensure treatment can be as individualised as possible within the group setting. Children consider the class to be a “fun club” and are never aware of any failure. A parent should accompany each child and will be encouraged to participate. Home exercises are given to each individual child at each session and parents are asked to support the child in completing them daily. Classes can take place during school time, after school, at weekends or even during school holidays at the school’s preference.

Assessments are offered to schools at a reduced price of £175 per child and individual treatment sessions are priced at £50 for 1 hour. The weekly classes are £15 per child (with a minimum of 4 children and a maximum of 6 per class), making this an affordable and economical way of treating these children. The school may choose to cover the costs itself or pass the costs on to the individual parents.

For further information or to book an my services, please email me or call me on 07780 513040.