Press Release: CHARITY ASKS UK TEACHERS:HANDS UP IF YOU�VE HEARD OF DYSPRAXIA?
Thousands of children across the UK could be facing a lonely and frightening future in the classroom due to the fact that many teachers show a worryingly low awareness of the common - yet often misdiagnosed � condition, dyspraxia.
The results of a new national survey1 of more than 1,000 education professionals (including teachers, classroom assistants and special educational needs co-ordinators, SENCOs) show that three quarters (76%) said that, at no point during their teaching career had they been offered specific training to help identify, understand or support children with dyspraxia
The survey � commissioned by the charity Dyspraxia Foundation (for the launch of its annual campaign - �Dyspraxia � Making Sense of it All: The Professional Approach� 27 Sept � 4 Oct) highlights a lack of understanding among schools in the UK with over half (51%) reporting a lack of awareness of the condition within their school.
And, a third (34%) of all teaching staff questioned saying there was no official diagnostic process in place in their school for identifying pupils with dyspraxia.
Sometimes referred to as �clumsy child� syndrome, developmental dyspraxia is an impairment of the organisation of movement, leading to problems with co-ordination and coping with simple tasks many of us take for granted.
Frequently falling over, difficulty walking up and down stairs, poor at dressing, no spatial awareness, inability to remember more than two or three instructions at once, barely legible handwriting, problems forming relationships and prone to bullying � these can be familiar symptoms for children with dyspraxia.
Wendy Fidler, Chair of the charity�s Education Committee, says; �We are really concerned by the results of this national survey and are committed to raising the profile of this challenging condition by campaigning for greater awareness among teaching professionals � from teaching assistants through to SENCOs (Special Educational Needs Coordinators) and Government�s decision makers.�
Wendy � who was also invited to attend a meeting of the 'Say No To Failure' Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) dyslexia group on behalf of the Foundation in July � adds; �There is no cure for dyspraxia but there are many coping techniques to help make life easier for those affected by the condition and their families. But, it�s vital that this process starts as soon as possible before children become self-conscious or neglected in the classroom � or worse, stigmatised and bullied.�
During this annual awareness week, the Dyspraxia Foundation will be promoting the launch of its �Classroom Guidelines�2 � which was developed in response to an urgent need identified by professionals working with children with dyspraxia.
The charity will also be stepping up its campaign to demand more specific training for new teachers about special educational needs � it is believed that some student teachers receive no more than four hours specialist training within a three-year teacher training course.
Dyspraxia affects up to six per cent of the population and up to two per cent severely. Boys are three times more likely to be affected than girls - and anecdotal research suggests it is likely that there may be two children affected in every class of 30 children.
In recent years, behavioural, social and learning problems have been more widely recognised and many children (and adults) have been helped with new strategies to cope with conditions such as dyslexia.
Yet understanding of dyspraxia remains low with only 58% of the teaching staff questioned claiming to be able to recognise the symptoms of the condition. This compares to:
82% who could recognise the symptoms of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
81%: general behavioural, emotional and social difficulties
76%: autism spectrum disorder
Claire Bradfield (16), who was diagnosed with dyspraxia aged 11 years, adds: �It was only when I changed schools that I started to feel properly supported and that the teachers really understood what dyspraxia was and how it affected me. In my previous school I was regularly bullied and left very much to my own devices, which my parents and I put down to a total lack of understanding about dyspraxia on the school�s part. I used to dread PE lessons in particular because of my co-ordination problems and very often pretended to be ill just so I could go home and not have to take part.
�Now, however, I attend a school with very understanding teachers and a brilliant SENCO. Just a few simple things there have made a huge difference, such as being allowed extra time in exams and not being given loads of homework just because I can�t keep up during the day. The school is also going to give me a laptop to use in lessons as my typing speed is much faster and far more legible than my handwriting and this way I can make sure I don�t miss taking down any key information. If I hadn�t changed schools I am not sure how I would have coped. Being surrounded by teachers and SENCOs who really understand my difficulties has made my school life much more enjoyable and I now feel I can really start achieving something.�
However, as with other similar behavioural and learning difficulties once a child or adult has been officially diagnosed, then the appropriate teaching patterns can be implemented � usually within a mainstream school. These can often bring quite radical changes to a child, making a clear difference to their day-to-day life, basic skills and overall prognosis for living a �satisfying and independent� life.
ENDS
For more information or to arrange an interview with a case study please call Tracey Thompson or Jo Hudson on 020 8786 3860 / 0770 948 759 [email protected]
For more information about the condition or to find out about events taking place in DF Awareness Week: www.dyspraxiafoundation.co.uk / 01462 454986
Notes to editors:
1 "This research was carried out by Schoolzone.co.uk -among a sample of 1087 - in accordance with the Market Research Society Code of Conduct."
2Classroom Guidelines are now available to all teachers via: www.teachernet.gov.uk/wholeschool/sen/
3 To help classroom staff and SENCOs tackle this current lack of awareness within UK schools, the Dyspraxia Foundation has developed a range of materials to support teachers, including:
Dyspraxia in Primary Schools
Classroom Guidelines
Dyspraxia in Secondary Schools
Dyspraxia in Further Education
Extra help with exams (England, Wales & Scotland)
PE Activities for children who have dyspraxia
Beat the Bullies
Visit: www.dyspraxiafoundation.co.uk to download these and other resources
This year the charity has formed a new working relationship with Lloydspharmacy. Lloydspharmacy will play an active role in helping to raise awareness among parents and carers (as well as professionals) at a local level. They will also help to improve understanding of the condition among customers through its website and the Lloyds Pharmacy Live radio station.
About Lloydspharmacy:
Lloydspharmacy has over 1,700 pharmacies across the country. These are based predominantly in community and health centre locations. The company employs over 16,000 staff, of which 80 per cent are women and dispenses 120 million prescription items annually. The pharmacies have over two million visits per week by customers who are also predominantly women.
Lloydspharmacy is the trading name of Lloydspharmacy Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of Celesio AG based in Stuttgart. Celesio is the leading pharmaceutical distribution company in Europe and is represented in 15 countries. With its three divisions, Celesio Wholesale, Celesio Pharmacies and Celesio Solutions, the group covers the entire scope of pharmaceutical trade and pharmaceutical-related services.
Lloydspharmacy which is a community pharmacy has primary care at the heart of its business. This is why it has launched a range of products aimed at community health such as affordable blood pressure monitors, Solar Safe products and is a supporter of NHS initiatives such as NHS Choices by providing terminals in-store for patient information.
Some key facts about Lloydspharmacy:
� In 2006, Lloydspharmacy had a record turnover of £1.50 billion (up 11.6 %),
� 60 million prescription visits every year
� 70 million 'Over The Counter' (OTC) visits every year
� 22% of the UK population live within the immediate catchment area of a Lloydspharmacy
www.lloydspharmacy.com
For more information please contact: Jayne Harrison 02476 432632 or Chloë Hudson 02476 625209
For immediate release
Monday, 29th September 2008