Maria
Hi Dave, I have two sons with dyspraxia, one is 10 and is fairly good now, the other is 7 and severe, he is now on Ritalin as the frustration of not being able to learn like the others causes behavioural problems etc. As they are of perfect intelligence, they know that they are also different especially as they get older. The best advice I can give I think is "patience". Lots of reading and I find singing helps with the speech difficulties, they don't stammer etc when singing. Putting exercise to music helps to because they are enjoying it and they seem to not focus so much on what they can't do. It is a difficult one really as dyspraxia comes in all different severities, some experience some things where others may not. Mine is gross motor delays, co-ordination etc, speech problems, learning problems (the processing of learning) and behavioural problems. Whereas my eldest had gross motor and speech problems and now is speaking quite clearly and still slightly clumsy but I think with time, he will almost grow out of it. He has certainly exceeded everything I was told. Some people think he has an accent but that is because of all his speech therapy he has actually learnt how to speak "properly" ha ha. With my other son, he doesn't seem to be making the progress that the elder was at the same age so I think he will always have problems....who knows. My best advice however is to think POSITIVE, and I know with my two putting aside all those difficulties do have extra very very loving and caring natures and I believe that alone will make them decent adults. I wish u all the best. oh and also heaps of praise to keep their spirits up goes a long damn way too. Maria