Hello everybody,
I posted on here a long time ago as I thought I had dyspraxia and wanted some confirmation from people who know about it first hand (and got it). However I've spent the past few years trying to get an official diagnosis and getting nowhere.
I've seen neurologists, for my epilepsy, psychologists, for my Asperger's syndrome and many other medical professionals who all keep suggesting dyspraxia to me but nobody will officially diagnose. It's a huge problem for me as I'm going through a bad bout of depression and anxiety and really want to try CBT to get through it but I've had problems in the past when therapists have tried to make me do things I can't physically do (because of the possible dyspraxia). They all just see it as my problems are just in my head and I'm just depressed because I'm restricting myself unnecessarily. This is really frustrating as I want to do the things they're telling me to but I genuinely can't and I'm sick of nobody listening to me. I've even tried taking my mother into sessions with me as she's seen first hand how much I struggle but they won't listen to her either.
Does anyone know how I can get an official diagnosis? I'm in the lincolnshire area but I know South Yorkshire well and will travel if I need to. I think if I can get diagnosed I'll finally be able to get people to understand why I'm so uncoordinated and struggle to get around so much as right now most of my family are of the opinion I'm just being awkward and controlling all the time and its affecting my relationships with them.
How do I get diagnosed?
Moderator: Moderator Team
Re: How do I get diagnosed?
I would say that the first thing to do would be to do a Google search for education psychologists, dspraxicia diagnosis etc. In the Lincolnshire / Yorkshire area etc that may come up with some suitable results.
The other option would be to contact the dyspraxicia foundation and see if they know of people in the area that could help.
The other option would be to contact the dyspraxicia foundation and see if they know of people in the area that could help.
The real Mr Potato Head
Re: How do I get diagnosed?
Hi Tim,
I tried the dyspraxia foundation but they couldn't help other than to suggest trying my GP but my GP hasn't been very helpful in the past. I'll give google a try but I'm struggling to find anything on the Internet.
I don't understand why it's so hard to get a diagnosis.
I tried the dyspraxia foundation but they couldn't help other than to suggest trying my GP but my GP hasn't been very helpful in the past. I'll give google a try but I'm struggling to find anything on the Internet.
I don't understand why it's so hard to get a diagnosis.
Re: How do I get diagnosed?
Hi Lou
If your only viable option is via the NHS, try your GP surgery again in case things have changed, Be polite but persistent and contact them regularly. Ask at as many health advice service gateways as you can.
Another option could be to try contacting the Dyslexia Association. Some of their members are quite possibly dyspraxic too and might be able to suggest avenues you could try.
If you have £600+ to spare you could try seeking a private diagnosis but I think that should only be as an absolute last resort and only after significant research into the individuals/organisations who offer this service.
The CBT sessions I had were more based on me being able to think of reasons as to why I was not useless, a failure etc to counter negative thoughts I was struggling with. Not once did they say take up this or that sport/exercise class. I would not have been very impressed had they done so. Saying that I do find it is good to get out and have a walk in the fresh air, shame about the god awful weather.
I cannot sugar coat this but once you have an official diagnosis there is sadly still not a lot of help out there other than perhaps the satisfaction of being able to tell doubters that you were right.
Hope for the best but prepare for the worst and you will hopefully be pleasantly surprised.
Appreciate this not going to answer your question but maybe someone else may have some useful info.
If your only viable option is via the NHS, try your GP surgery again in case things have changed, Be polite but persistent and contact them regularly. Ask at as many health advice service gateways as you can.
Another option could be to try contacting the Dyslexia Association. Some of their members are quite possibly dyspraxic too and might be able to suggest avenues you could try.
If you have £600+ to spare you could try seeking a private diagnosis but I think that should only be as an absolute last resort and only after significant research into the individuals/organisations who offer this service.
The CBT sessions I had were more based on me being able to think of reasons as to why I was not useless, a failure etc to counter negative thoughts I was struggling with. Not once did they say take up this or that sport/exercise class. I would not have been very impressed had they done so. Saying that I do find it is good to get out and have a walk in the fresh air, shame about the god awful weather.
I cannot sugar coat this but once you have an official diagnosis there is sadly still not a lot of help out there other than perhaps the satisfaction of being able to tell doubters that you were right.
Hope for the best but prepare for the worst and you will hopefully be pleasantly surprised.
Appreciate this not going to answer your question but maybe someone else may have some useful info.
Tom
Moderator/Administrator
With a foot full of bullets I tried to run faster but I just hobbled on to the next disaster.
(from Peter and the Test Tube Babies, Foot Full of Bullets)
Moderator/Administrator
With a foot full of bullets I tried to run faster but I just hobbled on to the next disaster.
(from Peter and the Test Tube Babies, Foot Full of Bullets)
Re: How do I get diagnosed?
Hi Tom,
I'm glad you found a decent CBT as it gives me hope that they're not all as useless as the one I saw. I was told I had to get up and run down 4 flights of concrete stairs go out into the city centre and find a house with an uneven gravelled driveway and walk up and down it. When I said I couldn't as I struggle to use any stairs let alone several flights of concrete I was told it was my own fault as I was just avoiding everything and if I wasn't willing to do it then they couldn't help me. I already knew at that point I had epilepsy so the stairs were pretty risky anyway if I had a fall but I'd thought the whole point in CBT was to gradually alter the way you think and feel about yourself and situations not to make you feel all that's wrong with your life is your own fault!
I'm considering my GP again but I'm worried they're just going to have me down as a hypercondriac as they told me when I went about my aspergers that everyone who reads things thinks they've got it (I was pushy then and insisted on being referred to a specialist I'd found who confirmed i did have it and so did my younger brother).
It's great to be able to come on here and get replies from you guys and not just be told I'm just clumsy or its just in my head all the time so thanks for both of your help so far.
I'm glad you found a decent CBT as it gives me hope that they're not all as useless as the one I saw. I was told I had to get up and run down 4 flights of concrete stairs go out into the city centre and find a house with an uneven gravelled driveway and walk up and down it. When I said I couldn't as I struggle to use any stairs let alone several flights of concrete I was told it was my own fault as I was just avoiding everything and if I wasn't willing to do it then they couldn't help me. I already knew at that point I had epilepsy so the stairs were pretty risky anyway if I had a fall but I'd thought the whole point in CBT was to gradually alter the way you think and feel about yourself and situations not to make you feel all that's wrong with your life is your own fault!
I'm considering my GP again but I'm worried they're just going to have me down as a hypercondriac as they told me when I went about my aspergers that everyone who reads things thinks they've got it (I was pushy then and insisted on being referred to a specialist I'd found who confirmed i did have it and so did my younger brother).
It's great to be able to come on here and get replies from you guys and not just be told I'm just clumsy or its just in my head all the time so thanks for both of your help so far.
Re: How do I get diagnosed?
Lou
They sound useless and downright unprofessional imho. Not sure I'd want to try running up and down 4 flights of concrete stairs/steps myself as broken limbs or worse does not appeal. Surely the gravel driveway thing is tantamount to trespass! Sounds like they were some sort of exercise freak who believe exercise is a 'cure-all' Sounds like you'd have been better off with a book!
Anyway, rant out the way. As long as you're polite but persistent and firm you can get there. Awareness is increasing. When you do visit your GP go armed with information about dyspraxia and examples of where you fit the description.
Is it possible to see/contact the same specialist who diagnosed the AS and ask his/her opinion about dyspraxia? Are you happy with the AS diagnosis? Was reading a bit about AS earlier and I definitely can see some traits I share but I think many people are on the autistic spectrum somewhere.
Take care and good luck You're always welcome here whether you have a formal diagnosis or not.
They sound useless and downright unprofessional imho. Not sure I'd want to try running up and down 4 flights of concrete stairs/steps myself as broken limbs or worse does not appeal. Surely the gravel driveway thing is tantamount to trespass! Sounds like they were some sort of exercise freak who believe exercise is a 'cure-all' Sounds like you'd have been better off with a book!
Anyway, rant out the way. As long as you're polite but persistent and firm you can get there. Awareness is increasing. When you do visit your GP go armed with information about dyspraxia and examples of where you fit the description.
Is it possible to see/contact the same specialist who diagnosed the AS and ask his/her opinion about dyspraxia? Are you happy with the AS diagnosis? Was reading a bit about AS earlier and I definitely can see some traits I share but I think many people are on the autistic spectrum somewhere.
Take care and good luck You're always welcome here whether you have a formal diagnosis or not.
Tom
Moderator/Administrator
With a foot full of bullets I tried to run faster but I just hobbled on to the next disaster.
(from Peter and the Test Tube Babies, Foot Full of Bullets)
Moderator/Administrator
With a foot full of bullets I tried to run faster but I just hobbled on to the next disaster.
(from Peter and the Test Tube Babies, Foot Full of Bullets)
Re: How do I get diagnosed?
Tom,
I think they were less exercise freaks and more just didn't believe me when I said I was having problems coordinating my body to use stairs and struggled to process gravel etc. it really was a nightmare as their was no one else to turn to and they just refused to listen to anything I said.
The aspergers was diagnosed by a specialist recommended by the national autistic society but it was extremely difficult to get referred to them and I really had to fight for it and got no follow up appointments after being diagnosed. I wouldn't stand a chance at getting another appointment with them as it was out of area and that costs the NHS too much.
I'm pretty sure with the AS diagnosis as its a multipart test and all showed I scored high for an autistic spectrum disorder. It explained a lot of my social problems but still left questions about my physical problems. I have a lot of sensory problems that are associated with AS but even they didn't explain why I struggle to get around so much.
I've spent today following your advice and I've printed off all the symptoms of dyspraxia and highlighted the ones I have (it's quite shocking to see how few aren't highlighted) and I've photocopied any letters from medical professionals who've suggested I should be assessed for dyspraxia. The only thing that doesn't fit is the slow to learn to walk/crawl/talk thing. Is this something every dyspraxic has or is it just another symptom that some people get and others don't?
I think they were less exercise freaks and more just didn't believe me when I said I was having problems coordinating my body to use stairs and struggled to process gravel etc. it really was a nightmare as their was no one else to turn to and they just refused to listen to anything I said.
The aspergers was diagnosed by a specialist recommended by the national autistic society but it was extremely difficult to get referred to them and I really had to fight for it and got no follow up appointments after being diagnosed. I wouldn't stand a chance at getting another appointment with them as it was out of area and that costs the NHS too much.
I'm pretty sure with the AS diagnosis as its a multipart test and all showed I scored high for an autistic spectrum disorder. It explained a lot of my social problems but still left questions about my physical problems. I have a lot of sensory problems that are associated with AS but even they didn't explain why I struggle to get around so much.
I've spent today following your advice and I've printed off all the symptoms of dyspraxia and highlighted the ones I have (it's quite shocking to see how few aren't highlighted) and I've photocopied any letters from medical professionals who've suggested I should be assessed for dyspraxia. The only thing that doesn't fit is the slow to learn to walk/crawl/talk thing. Is this something every dyspraxic has or is it just another symptom that some people get and others don't?
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screengreen
- Power poster
- Posts: 212
- Joined: Fri Aug 16, 2013 8:39 pm
Re: How do I get diagnosed?
Hi Lou
Sensory problems may explain your problems as most people think of sensory problems as being too loud/quiet difficulty with touch etc. But its also about getting the correct feedback from your body and head so that you know where you are in space , your difficulties with walking on gravel sound like a sensory discrimination issue, that is you are OK walking on a hard surface but when the feedback under your feet is shifting you feel very wobbly. I am biased though as have studied sensory integration . By the way am surprised that dyspraxia was not diagnosed with the aspergers as most people I have met who have ASD have some issues with praxis. Hope this is not too technical and am not rambling too much.
Sensory problems may explain your problems as most people think of sensory problems as being too loud/quiet difficulty with touch etc. But its also about getting the correct feedback from your body and head so that you know where you are in space , your difficulties with walking on gravel sound like a sensory discrimination issue, that is you are OK walking on a hard surface but when the feedback under your feet is shifting you feel very wobbly. I am biased though as have studied sensory integration . By the way am surprised that dyspraxia was not diagnosed with the aspergers as most people I have met who have ASD have some issues with praxis. Hope this is not too technical and am not rambling too much.
Re: How do I get diagnosed?
Your not rambling screengreen you're being extremely helpful. I've heard of sensory integration before but I'm not 100% sure what it is. Do you think it could help me with my problems? I'd love to be able to get around without so much difficulty and not be so restricted with where I can and can't go because of the gravel, uneven flooring etc.
When I got my aspergers diagnosis it was pretty much just being told i had it and then I was on my own. When my brother was diagnosed with the same thing they also suggested he should get tested for ADHD but they didn't do it themselves and noone followed it up. I think it's all cut backs.
When I got my aspergers diagnosis it was pretty much just being told i had it and then I was on my own. When my brother was diagnosed with the same thing they also suggested he should get tested for ADHD but they didn't do it themselves and noone followed it up. I think it's all cut backs.
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screengreen
- Power poster
- Posts: 212
- Joined: Fri Aug 16, 2013 8:39 pm
Re: How do I get diagnosed?
I think sensory integration (SI) therapy would probably help you, however other than sensory diets for modulation there is very little publicly funded SI therapy, the general idea is to gently and safely challenge your senses, and should be done by a skilled practitioner for more info I would look at sensory integration network website http://sinetwork.publishpath.com or you could post on their forum http://www.sinetworkforum.org.uk they have open forums and closed ones by the way in adults the condition is called sensory processing disorder(SPD) hope this helps.
Last edited by Tom fod on Wed Jun 11, 2014 10:42 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: How do I get diagnosed?
Thanks for the links I'll take a look at them and I might print some of the relevant stuff off to show to my GP. I've also got an appointment for an occupational therapist next month so I'll definitely be mentioning sensory integration to them but like you said its really hard to get funding for anything so I'll try not to get my hopes up too much.
Even if I can't get the sensory integration therapy it still makes me feel a bit better in an odd way knowing that there is something out there that could help and that at some point in the future it might become more widely available.
Thanks for all your help screengreen you've been absolutely brilliant.
Even if I can't get the sensory integration therapy it still makes me feel a bit better in an odd way knowing that there is something out there that could help and that at some point in the future it might become more widely available.
Thanks for all your help screengreen you've been absolutely brilliant.