ABSTRACT
The evidence suggests that parents are usually the first to notice their children’s difficulties but that it may be hard to have those initial concerns acknowledged by their health visitor, GP or visiting therapists. Some parents will actively seek a label for their child’s difficulties whereas others may be alarmed by the idea of a diagnostic label. Dyspraxia as a diagnostic label
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Advantages |
Disadvantages |
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1. Parents may contact support agencies to find out more about their child’s difficulties and how to help at home. |
1. The child may be seen as dyspraxic rather than as a unique individual with their own pattern of strengths and weaknesses. |
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2. Information about the condition can be shared with family, friends, teachers. |
2. A label such as dyspraxia may restrict the expectations that adults have for the child’s development. |
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3. The problem may be taken more seriously by professionals. J’s slow development was attributed to a lack of stimulation at home by social services until I was identified as dyspraxic. |
3. A label may affect the child’s self-perception and self-expectations. Being a special type of person can be a refuge but it can also be a prison. |
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4. It will help the child’s self-esteem to know that s/he is not stupid but does have a recognised problem with which others will help. |
Use the label but don’t become trapped by it
