Help getting diagnosis

Getting assessed for your dyspraxia, getting help, disability allowance etc.

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FiloZofo
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Joined: Thu Sep 24, 2015 4:28 pm

Help getting diagnosis

Post by FiloZofo »

I did some assessments around February time this year for my retaking of GCSE Maths, and the assessor said that by the impression of the answers to which I gave in the questionnaire I was given as homework, as well as some of the activities which we had to do, she thought I might have dyspraxia.
She said that the assessment was more to do with exams that this though, and that she would analyse the results.

I sat my exams (got an A :D) and had 25% extra time added, as well as regular breaks allowed. Also, my papers were printed on pink paper, which was the same colour for most of my work sheets for the rest of my course. I wasn't really sure why they were that way, or why I was given an orange plastic sheet, but (apart from the sheet because of the glare), I realised after a while that it actually helps focus print.

I forgot about it for a while, until a month after my exams and have been reading about it sporadically since then.
It hit me (finally after two years) that being sat at home all day doing little else, is a waste of time, and that I should be outside exposing myself (not in that way...) to new experiences.

I started volunteering 2 months ago at a local potential radio, and love it. it's built my confidence and I get to present my own feature once a week which is awesome. It's the highlight of my week and is the only socialising I do currently.

My confidence increase by a huge amount, which was helped even more by the fact that I got a job I applied for.

Quite alot of the general "symptoms" out there on the web or in books apply to me, or in my childhood.
Buttons, shoelaces, ball catching & kicking and bike riding are things which took me alot longer than my peers to get.

How would I go about getting diagnosed. I am 22 and currently on JSA.

Thanks.

-FiloZofo
FiloZofo, son of Zofo the Philosopher.
Tom fod
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Re: Help getting diagnosis

Post by Tom fod »

Hi again.

Getting formal diagnosis as an adult when you're no longer in full time education does seem to be tricky

In the first instance ask your GP (NHS provision is patchy and GPs may not have/know anyone they can refer you to. Go prepared with information about dyspraxia and how it affects your quality of life.
It may also be useful to contact the Dyspraxia Foundation.
Asking the jobCentre (again go armed with general info and how it has/us affecting your chances of finding and staying in work.)
Consider getting a private diagnosis (not cheap) Do your research well before committing any money,

Sadly once you have a diagnosis it doesn't necessarily open any doors to help and support services. However having official confirmation can help you start to be more accepting and less harsh on yourself.
Tom
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With a foot full of bullets I tried to run faster but I just hobbled on to the next disaster.
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FiloZofo
Getting settled in
Posts: 11
Joined: Thu Sep 24, 2015 4:28 pm

Re: Help getting diagnosis

Post by FiloZofo »

Tom fod wrote:Hi again.

Getting formal diagnosis as an adult when you're no longer in full time education does seem to be tricky

In the first instance ask your GP (NHS provision is patchy and GPs may not have/know anyone they can refer you to. Go prepared with information about dyspraxia and how it affects your quality of life.
It may also be useful to contact the Dyspraxia Foundation.
Asking the jobCentre (again go armed with general info and how it has/us affecting your chances of finding and staying in work.)
Consider getting a private diagnosis (not cheap) Do your research well before committing any money,

Sadly once you have a diagnosis it doesn't necessarily open any doors to help and support services. However having official confirmation can help you start to be more accepting and less harsh on yourself.
Thanks. The only thing my doctor could suggest was regarding speech therapy if I was having difficulties regarding that.
That was 2 months ago and thinking about it since then, I have a very mild stutter every now and then (I think is a result of being around my brother who used to have a really bad stammer, and not realising that was a bad thing until my teens) and I think I'm developing tourettes as my throat clearing from a cold about 6 months ago hasn't gone, and I keep humming. Certainly something I should look into, as my not-so-bright dad is getting pretty irate with regards to it (he non-jokingly says I'll end up in assylum).


I might try at the Job centre when I get round to re registering. It might be futile, and I'll likely be switched over to another advisor soon (hopefully I can persuade them otherwise) but I don't see why not trying at least. And yes, I'm aware diagnoses can be pretty expensive for other conditions, so I assume it's the same here. Thanks.
FiloZofo, son of Zofo the Philosopher.
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