Growing Pains... 
To help them in class, consider the following points:
- Consider the use of a Dictaphone to allow them to prompt and remind themselves as to the content of the lecture.
- Photocopy notes and remove the necessity for Note taking therefore allowing the pupil to concentrate all their efforts on listening to the content of the lesson.
- As children with Dyspraxia have little concept of time, they will continue to get lost and forget equipment/homework necessary the forthcoming lesson. As long as it not too disturbing for the remainder of the class, consider use of an egg timer.
- Use a digital watch for the same purpose, if the pupil has one.
- Small 'buzzer keys' or voice-activated pens that allow a short 15-second message to prompt the child to remember important details homework or objects.
- A large clear pencil case can assist with finding pens required.
- 'Dycem' is a product that can adhere books, objects, and papers to desks without adding sticky substances.
- Consider different types of scissors. Children with Dyspraxia have difficulty negotiating and co-ordinating their fingers to open and close the scissors and cutting in a straight line. There are some ingenious scissors now on the market that are spring loaded and do not require the fingers to be placed into guide holes.
- Consider a 'homework' diary so that they can check items in and out with a timetable clearly written on it. Ensure the correct details have been entered. Also write important instructions so that equipment and items are not forgotten from home.
- Mentor or Buddy system. This needs to be approached in a sensitive way so as not to identify the child as ëdifferentí and therefore make them a target for bullying. But a child, who knows the school layout and what equipment is needed for next lesson etc, can alleviate a considerable amount of stress.
- Make sure you have a spare set of pens and so on, in case they forgers theirs.
- Allow another student to lend them their notes to learn from, especially if their handwriting is a problem.
- If in an important exam/test write the instructions down as well so that they can refer back and prompt themselves.
- For study and tests, allow them extra time to get the information down on paper or consider an amanuensis
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