Dyspraxia in Secondary Schools 
Is there a Dyspraxic Child in your class?
Always Remember...
- Give the child as much encouragement as possible and make sure they are not made to feel a failure
- Be aware of their difficulties and give strategies to reduce the frustration they experience particularly when required to complete written work
- Break down activities and tasks into smaller components
- Teach the child strategies in order to help them remember and organise themselves (e.g. use of diaries and lists)
- Assist with short term verbal memory tasks by not giving too many words in dictation and asking the child to repeat instructions to you
- Help with short term visual memory by not expecting the child to be able to copy large blocks of text. Use strategies to help with copying from the board by using different colours per line or giving a ruler to copy text for each line. If demonstrating activities, break down the tasks into stages and give a few at a time
- Allow the child to finish a task before moving on; they will feel a failure when work is consistently left incomplete
- In P.E./games gain advice from the medical professionals and ensure that if the child is unable to join in a team game that he/she is given activities that will build up their particular abilities. Where possible allow the child alternatives from taking part in team games where the child will be identified as letting his/her side down
- Ensure that where required assistance is given to the pupil to find his/her way around, they may forget where they are supposed to be
- Allow access to word processors/lap tops/palm tops if they are available, - a voice processor with at least 80% accuracy can be invaluable
- It is important to work with parents as they know their child better than anyone else
- Ensure that there is good liaison with medical professionals
- Be aware that during sudden growth spurts difficulties may manifest themselves to a greater extent
- Encourage a close relationship with another child who can act as a guide/helper especially for the first few months following transfer to secondary school
- Ensure that all instructions are always clear and precise. Make sure you explain yourself fully even if this means stating the obvious as they may not understand sarcasm or irony
With the right support, encouragement and help Dyspraxic children do well in school For further information please read:
- Praxis Makes Perfect
- Developmental Dyspraxia, A Practical Manual for Parents and Professionals by Madeleine Portwood
- Dyspraxia - A Handbook for Therapists by MichËle Lee and Jenny French
These publications are available from:
Dyspraxia Foundation, 8
West Alley, Hitchin, Herts SG5 1EG
Tel: 01462 454986 (Helpline) Tel: 01462
455016 (Administration) Fax: 01462
455052 Web
site: [www.dyspraxiafoundation.org.uk]
]
