DYSPRAXIA AWARENESS WEEK 14th -20th OCTOBER 2012
Charity calls on families to be alert for early signs of Dyspraxia in 2012 Awareness Week
The Dyspraxia Foundation is calling on families to be alert to the early signs of the condition in their awareness week campaign from 14th � 20th October 2012.
Chair of the Foundation Michele Lee said: �Many parents are unaware of the early signs of dyspraxia. It is vital families are on the lookout so we can ensure their children benefit from help and advice as soon as possible. All the research shows the earlier children are helped, the better their chances are for achieving their potential in the future. Early identification means that children can be referred for the help of specialists such as occupational therapy or physiotherapy whose input can be invaluable.�
�This year we have worked with CBeebies to develop a new early years programme, Tree Fu Tom, which encourages the development of foundation movement skills in all children, but especially those with dyspraxia. We are delighted that the series reached over 300,000 children aged 4-6 years in the first series and that parents are reporting improvements in their children�s motor skills and confidence�.
Dawn, mum of Rowan aged 5 years says �My son was diagnosed with dyspraxia by a consultant paediatrician last year. Rowan loves watching Tree Fu Tom with his younger sister and they both join in with the spells. Rowan tries really hard to master the movement sequences and takes this very seriously. He says that Tree Fu Tom is just like him!�
�With practice Rowan has got better at the spells and he doesn�t fall over as much. He�s also getting better at staying in one spot rather than migrating around the room, and he has started to be more aware of where his sister is when they are doing Big World Magic together�
Early signs of dyspraxia can include:
� Being late to achieve motor milestones such as sitting and walking
� Some children avoid crawling or bottom shuffle instead
� Frequently falling
� Difficulty manipulating toys and other objects
� Being a messy eater
� Having speech/language problems
� Slow to respond to instructions
� Sensitivity to noise, touch and other sensory information
Dawn�s advice to other parents is �Be persistent. We felt that something wasn�t right for Rowan. He never jumped and couldn�t manage buttons or hold a pencil, but because he is a bright boy he compensated for his difficulties so they weren�t noticed by his nursery teachers. Fortunately our GP listened to our concerns and referred Rowan to the paediatrician for an assessment�.
Dawn also says: �It can be really hard to get help for young children with dyspraxia and it�s so frustrating trying to get your child to do things that they find difficult. We are so lucky to have Tree Fu Tom which is something fun that we can do with Rowan that we know will make a difference. There are lots of wonderful things that Rowan can do and it�s important to focus on them and not what other children are doing.�
If parents of pre-school children are concerned about their child�s development they should speak to their GP or Health Visitor. Further information about dyspraxia can be downloaded from www.dyspraxiafoundation.co.uk. All the advice and guidance produced by the Dyspraxia Foundation is written in consultation with people affected by dyspraxia and checked by professionals.
As part of Dyspraxia Awareness week the Dyspraxia Foundation has launched a survey to gather information from parents about their early experiences of trying to get their child�s difficulties recognised. The survey findings will help to develop targeted resources to enable parents and early years professionals to recognise the early signs of dyspraxia and to provide the help and support these children need. Please see a link to the Dyspraxia Awareness Week Survey below.
The Dyspraxia Foundation is also holding a two-day conference for parents and professionals in Bournemouth on 9/10th November 2012 with renowned speakers Dr. Madeleine Portwood, Barbara Hunter and Gill Dixon. Further information about the conference and a booking form is available at https://www.dyspraxiafoundation.co.uk or email [email protected]
ENDS
Notes to Editors
For more information about the condition or to arrange an interview/feature during or after Dyspraxia Awareness Week, please contact the Dyspraxia Foundation Office on 01462 455016 or email [email protected]
About Tree Fu Tom
Members of the Dyspraxia Foundation expert medical panels worked closely with the CBeebies production team to develop sequences of movements that form the basis of Tom�s Tree Fu magic spells. These �Big World Magic� spell sequences target movements that promote children�s physical development and coordination of children whilst at the same time being fun and exciting. �Big World Magic� was tested with children to ensure they presented exactly the right level of challenge. Participation in the movement spells will benefit all children, but particularly those who have dyspraxia or a developmental coordination disorder.
Doctor Who stars David Tennant and Sophie Aldred voice the lead characters of the multiplatform animated series. Targeting 4-6 year olds, Tree Fu Tom is about a young boy who can transform in to a magical superhero and visit an enchanted world in a tree where he needs the audiences� help to save the day.
About dyspraxia
Developmental dyspraxia is an impairment or immaturity of the organisation of movement. It is an immaturity in the way that the brain processes information, which results in messages not being properly or fully transmitted. Dyspraxia affects the planning of what to do and how to do it. It is associated with problems of perception, language and thought.
Dyspraxia is thought to affect 5-10% of the population and up to two per cent severely. Males are three times more likely to be affected than females. Dyspraxia sometimes runs in families and there may be an overlap with other related conditions. Statistically, it is likely that there are two children in every class of 30 children with dyspraxia and there are many adults who are unaware that they have the condition.
For more information see: Dyspraxia Awareness Week Survey