Recommendations for private dcd assessment

[scr0oge]

So I've only recently found out that dyspraxia exists. It was a bit of a sickening feeling reading the usual signs and markers and at how closely they match my experiences. I've decided to pursue a diagnosis, if only to have a reason I've awkwardly stumbled through existence thus far.

I'm lucky enough to have private health insurance through work and have been given an open referral to see a physio for an assessment.

Issue is my insurance doesn't have anyone listed that does adult assessments for dcd/dyspraxia so I've been asked to make a list of organisations/individuals that do for them to choose from.

Does anyone have recommendations? I've really struggled to find anyone who tests adults. Would I be better off trying to get a referral for an Occupational Therapist?

[Tom fod]

Hi Scr0oge
Glad you've found us.
Firstly please can you advise where you are? I don't want to give you a UK centric response if you're outside the UK.

[StitchWitchery]

Tom

Would you mind providing the UK-centric information anyway? I'm in Yorkshire, aged 63, and currently tearing my hair out

Thanks
SW

[Tom fod]

Tis right here in this section of board

viewtopic.php?t=7385

GPs can be a bit defensive as v often they have little or nothing to help adults seeking confirmation.

PATOSS have a register of specialist teachers who can assess for dyspraxia and other specific learning difficulties.

The system is ageist in a lot of ways. A lot of people inc older adults are self-Discovered/Declaring, though I appreciate some still want and need a professional to provide that formal confirmation.

[Auron]

In my experience, an Occupational Therapist is exactly the kind of person you need. That’s how I got diagnosed.

[Lizzie194]

Hi, can I ask whether this was in the UK? My Dr wondered about an OT but decided to refer me to a physiotherapist in the end. My appointment is this Thursday!!!

[Tom fod]

Hi, can I ask whether this was in the UK? My Dr wondered about an OT but decided to refer me to a physiotherapist in the end. My appointment is this Thursday!!!

Hi Asti

Yes it was a UK member posting. Some OTs can confirm Dyspraxia or provide a report for another Medical professional to rubber stamp/approve.

Regrettably I'm a bit dubious that a physiotherapist can help confirm but I hope I'm wrong.

[Lizzie194]

Thanks Tom
The physiotherapist is referring me for exercises to help with balance and coordination, which should be really good.
Do you think it would be worth going back to my GP for a referral to an OT? Or, should I go privately for an assessment? It's not essential I find out for sure. I'm happy enough knowing there could be an explanation for the way things have been for me (63 years).
Your excitedly
Asti (the first name I could think of, and my favourite drink!)

[Tom fod]

Thanks Tom
The physiotherapist is referring me for exercises to help with balance and coordination, which should be really good.
Do you think it would be worth going back to my GP for a referral to an OT? Or, should I go privately for an assessment? It's not essential I find out for sure. I'm happy enough knowing there could be an explanation for the way things have been for me (63 years).
Your excitedly
Asti (the first name I could think of, and my favourite drink!)

It very much depends on your GP and NHS Trust's provision/policies. If your GP has a pathway open to them down which to refer you may be in luck. Sometimes an OT can only produce a report recommendation that then needs to be signed off by a Neurologist. I suspect some ruthlessly prioritise and adults seeking dyspraxia confirmation fall through the cracks.

If you're comfortable with it, I'd suggest self-declaring is your best easiest and least time-consuming option.

If you needed confirmation to compel an en employer to offer reasonable adjustments it would make the cost of a private assessment more of a necessity.

Dyspraxia assessment for adults falls more into the special educational sphere so an assessment by a specialist teacher is likely to be more accessible and probably cheaper than the private medical /clinical route.

[Lizzie194]

Thanks Tom

I'd prefer to know for sure rather than self-declare. I don't need confirmation for an employer, just for me.

So much is falling into place now that I don't think I want to let it go. I only learnt yesterday that dyspraxics often walk late without having crawled, and I can hear my late mum saying I did that!

Funnily enough, my swimming teacher is a physio by day and said she'd ask in work about a pathway. I'll see if she mentions it tonight. Otherwise, I can submit an econsult to my Dr. Shall I say "Is there a pathway open down which to refer me?" Is there anything else important to add?

Also, what's a specialist teacher please?

[Lizzie194]

Hi Tom

Please ignore the final question on my earlier post. I emailed Annette Dickens (after hearing such good things about her on here) and have just noticed her title is Specialist Teacher. She sounds amazing, and possibly worth the very long train journey to see her. I haven't made a final decision though, and would appreciate any info you can provide on the other points x

[Tom fod]

Hi again Asti

I believe PATOSS maintain a list of specialist teachers who can assess for specific learning difficulties (SPLDs).

I can understand why your mind might be set on the idea that only a medical doctor can confirm. However, I think that traps too many in a spiral of frustration and disappointment The medical professional community regrettably (and wrongly given impact on people) don't really see Dyspraxia as much of a clinical priority. NHS Trusts therefore often don't make or have the necessary provision or pathways that people need and want.

Of course I must caveat that it is still important that a medical professional needs to have ruled out more worrying causes.

[tom24680]

I have just had a dyspraxia assessment with Annette Dickens in Berkshire. I was referred to her by my college as I needed a DSA assessment for university. I was very nervous and worried about my disorganised mind going through something like that for uni. Annette was just great stuff. She made me feel very comfortable and I need not have worried as the time over 2 hours went very quickly. Lots of different things to do including some drawing/copying tests as my handwriting is dead awful. I had extra time in secondary school but needed a proper dyspraxia or DCD assessment report for university so I can get study skills support.
Annette emailed me the results straight after the assessment, very speedy response She said the report will be sent in 2 to 3 weeks.
Can't recommend her enough - great lady and it will make such a different getting help to pay for my study skills at uni.
Tom

[Lizzie194]

Hi Tom

Your post sounds really positive!

I've been in contact with Annette myself and am planning on making an appointment for the end of April. I really don't need the assessment for anything other than to make some sense of things after all these years.

It's a long train journey from Merseyside, but I can stay somewhere reasonably local to her for a night or so, and take a taxi there on the day. Hopefully it'll be well worth it.

I hope you get what you're looking for.

Asti

[Lizzie194]

Hi Tom fod
Thanks. It's not so much that my mind's set on the medical route. It's more that all of this is so new to me and I really didn't have much of a clue at the start. Anyway, I've completed a questionnaire that Annette sent me and have booked an assessment with her. I have also been seen by a consultant (who asked questions about coordination, strength, balance, stiffness, joint pain etc) and has added me to the waiting list for some physiotherapy classes