Qualifications And Assessment

[AlleyCat]

Hi nickye. I was wondering what kinds of tests you had to do? I was assessed by a psychologist using the WAIS, so I wasn't asked to perform any physical tests (such as balancing on one leg), although the WAIS did include tests of my writing speed.

[nickye]

Hi Joy and Alleycat
Thanks so much for your replies, it means a lot to me to be able to come on here and talk to people who really understand. My family and friends are quite supportive (I'm lucky), but still I get frustrated because they seem to think that a lot of problems are mostly down to my lack of confidence/depression, whereas I feel sure that the lack of confidence/depression stems from the dyspraxia! But anyway, I'm not feeling so positive about it now, although I think this will pass. I was on a high on Friday, finally getting the results and have someone take me seriously. But now I'm feeling a bit down about it and think what good is it going to do me? But I get a full report in the next week or so and there will be a lot of suggestions for things to improve spatial awareness etc, so will keep you posted.

The tests I did were really varied but I don't know what they're called. They were official tests that the person is licnensed to carry out. They involved a lot of different things: reading, writing, spelling, hearing sounds and manipulating them, repeating numbers forwards and backwards, making shapes with little diamonds, copying drawings and lines, recognising which lines/circles are bigger than others, looking at pictures and working out what comes next. I also had to throw and kick a beanbag, do things quickly with my hands and memorise numbers. This all took about 3 hours. Annette also gave me a detialed questionnaire before I went where I could put down all the difficulties I'd had (like driving, directions, spatial awareness, etc).

I was a bit worn out afterwards but Annette was brilliant, and supplied me with cups of tea and let me have breaks now and again.

I think in the long run it will be really positive but at the moment my house is in a muddle and I don't know where to start tidying up. I must go now and do something about it! One thing I find really good is setting a timer and working til it finishes on a particular task (say cleaning the bathroom or tidying the bedroom).

Anyway sorry for the long post but thanks for getting in touch. Good luck with everything. I do think this website is a life saver! I'm sure I'd be depressed now if I couldn't come on here and have a bit of rant/let off steam!

Take care, Nicky

[john]

Hi Nicky
I am new to the forum. I thought I was dyspraxic for years but took your advice and went and had an assessment with annette dickens.
After a long assessment of 3 hours and lots of questionnaires from annete, I finally have confirmattion of what i thought I had for many years. Yes dyspraxia. The report was really easy to understand as she puts in clear concise language. Now I can go on and get some of the recommendations annette made in the report - most of them are not too expensive either.
Hope all goes well with you and thank you so much for taking part in this forum. It had helped me enormously.
John

[nickye]

Hi John Really good to hear from you. Annette is great isn't she? It's a relief to get the diagnosis isn't it? It explains so much. I'm pleased you found what I said helpful. I have had a lot of help from this forum it's helped me such a lot.

I found Annette's report really good. She recommended quite a few things some of which I am doing already. They are helping. Sometimes I still feel a bit down about things but sure things are getting better.

Good luck with everything especially the degree course.
Nicky