Just before Christmas I went to be tested through my Uni for dyspraxia which I most definitely have; I was given a list of suitable testers by the uni and was diagnosed with dyslexia with dyspraxic type weakness.
The lady who did my test is a special ed. teacher and only told me at the time that I’d need a doctor to properly diagnose me with dyspraxia.
At the time I just accepted this but now it’s really annoying me. My reading and writing tested as fine. The reasons given for the dyslexia diagnosis were problems like thought perception issues, poor short term memory and poor organisational skills – all things that are often present with dyspraxia. I also have most of the physical problems and to minor degree speech problems that associated with dyspraxia.
I’m doing a publishing MA and although it shouldn’t be true I get the strong impression from work placements and lectures that dyslexia is considered a bit of a career killer (it may not be the case but dyslexia isn’t something I’d want to admit in publishing). I do feel though that I’d like to be able to explain to people that I have dyspraxia because there are some aspects of working in offices that I find difficult. I know that there’s a lot of overlap between the two but people still have a stigma with dyslexia and assume it means you can’t read or write.
Mainly I’ve just realised that as it took me so long to get a diagnosis I should have stuck it out and waited for the proper one.
Is it worth getting tested for dyspraxia? I can’t afford to pay for a test, the uni won’t pay again and I accidently missed a test last year organised through the NHS so don’t imagine they will either.
Does it even matter?
Should I try to get another diagnosis?
Moderator: Moderator Team
Re: Should I try to get another diagnosis?
The assessment seems a bit 'half baked' to me- I'm very surprised that your University sent you to have one with a special ed teacher, as the only person suitably qualified to diagnose conditions such as dyslexia and dyspraxia is a psychologist. The person who assessed me was an occupational psychologist, although an educational psychologist would also be suitable. I was assessed using the WAIS (wechsler adult intelligence scale), which can only be administered by a qualified psychologist, not by a GP. The University expected me to pay for it myself, so I had to get my Dad to pay the £200 it cost at the time, although it's likely that it would cost at least £300 now. If you're lucky, a GP might refer you to see a psychologist through the NHS, but the GP would not be qualified to administer the assessment him- or herself.
It's interesting that you don't want a diagnosis of dyslexia, but I can completely understand why you don't want to be labelled with that considering the career you wish to pursue. Ironically, Disability Services at my University initially referred me to be assessed for dyslexia, but the psychologist insisted that the diagnosis was dyspraxia. I was kind of disappointed as I feel that many more people have heard of dyslexia than dyspraxia, and it's almost 'cool' to say you're dyslexic because celebrities such as Keira Knightley, Orlando Bloom and Kara Tointon have the condition. IMO dyspraxia is still dyslexia's poorly understood cousin.
When considering whether to get an assessment specifically for dyspraxia, you need to consider how much of an impact symptoms arising from it are likely to have at work and how other people might regard you as a result. The worst case scenario is that you get fired (or at least not kept on if it's a temporary contract) for doing things that are a direct result of you having dyspraxia. Would a publishing job likely involve you spending a significant amount of time doing menial tasks such as filing and photocopying, which rely on efficiency? I don't know much about what a publishing job might involve, but I do know that when I've had temporary admin jobs which have involved menial tasks such as those mentioned, I haven't made a particularly good impression because I'm not the quickest person at doing them, plus I tend to lose focus after a certain amount of time. I would have thought that meeting deadlines is an important aspect of publishing, so if time management is a particular issue (as it is for a lot of people who have dyspraxia, myself included), perhaps you could think of some strategies you might use to help you.
It's interesting that you don't want a diagnosis of dyslexia, but I can completely understand why you don't want to be labelled with that considering the career you wish to pursue. Ironically, Disability Services at my University initially referred me to be assessed for dyslexia, but the psychologist insisted that the diagnosis was dyspraxia. I was kind of disappointed as I feel that many more people have heard of dyslexia than dyspraxia, and it's almost 'cool' to say you're dyslexic because celebrities such as Keira Knightley, Orlando Bloom and Kara Tointon have the condition. IMO dyspraxia is still dyslexia's poorly understood cousin.
When considering whether to get an assessment specifically for dyspraxia, you need to consider how much of an impact symptoms arising from it are likely to have at work and how other people might regard you as a result. The worst case scenario is that you get fired (or at least not kept on if it's a temporary contract) for doing things that are a direct result of you having dyspraxia. Would a publishing job likely involve you spending a significant amount of time doing menial tasks such as filing and photocopying, which rely on efficiency? I don't know much about what a publishing job might involve, but I do know that when I've had temporary admin jobs which have involved menial tasks such as those mentioned, I haven't made a particularly good impression because I'm not the quickest person at doing them, plus I tend to lose focus after a certain amount of time. I would have thought that meeting deadlines is an important aspect of publishing, so if time management is a particular issue (as it is for a lot of people who have dyspraxia, myself included), perhaps you could think of some strategies you might use to help you.
Re: Should I try to get another diagnosis?
I think that you should try and get a proper assisment by a educational phycolgest - as costs is a issue ask the GP and really try to push for it. If that fales then its somthing i think you should really consider and save up for.
The other thing is that you cant get fired beceuse of your dysablitie (if your digignosed and the company / employer knows) as thats agensed the law.
A digignosis will help as you have a valid excuse and can ask for allowances to me made, if you disclose that you have a dysablitie. However this could leave you open to unknown discrimation and possably people treating you diffrently - therefor you should really think about how your going to disclose and explane it in a positive mannor.
I think that to raise awareness more public people and / or celebrtaties who are dyspraxic should come forward more directly and talk openly about dyspraxicia.
The other thing is that you cant get fired beceuse of your dysablitie (if your digignosed and the company / employer knows) as thats agensed the law.
A digignosis will help as you have a valid excuse and can ask for allowances to me made, if you disclose that you have a dysablitie. However this could leave you open to unknown discrimation and possably people treating you diffrently - therefor you should really think about how your going to disclose and explane it in a positive mannor.
That is verry true - somtimes beceuse dyslexicia is more commen or more known about its somthing that can almost be labled as cool. The fact that many dyslexicis are verry 'creative' and 'arty' people means that its often viewed as a gift raver then a dylablitie like dyspraxicia which I don't think many would see as a 'gift' in a positive way.dyspraxia is still dyslexia's poorly understood cousin.
I think that to raise awareness more public people and / or celebrtaties who are dyspraxic should come forward more directly and talk openly about dyspraxicia.
Re: Should I try to get another diagnosis?
Yes- I think celebrities such as Daniel Radcliffe and Florence Welch could talk about having dyspraxia more and help raise awareness.
Re: Should I try to get another diagnosis?
From what you wrote in your first post it does sound more like dyspraxia then dyslexia. Sure, there are overlaps, but perception and poor short term memory certainly seem more of a dyspraxic thing in my opinion (not to say dyslexics don't have these!!). I don't know if it's just me but I do feel a bit annoyed with dyslexia at times because it seems that everyone goes on about it as a learning difficulty and getting help with it and there's scarcely anything on dyspraxia. Even Firefox doesn't think it's a word, yet dyslexia is fine.
Anywho, the guy who tested me was a psychologist. It was interesting getting the results sheets back, but there was this one test where he asked you to start writing an essay and choose one of his essay questions. It was kind of unfair that, of course I was going to be really slow at writing anything down if I've suddenly been given an essay question I don't know what to say about... in real essays you do have more time to prepare and rough out, etc., on in school exams you have some idea what might be asked (maybe... can't really remember now!
) But yeah, so my writing down time was recorded very slow. I am actually rather a fast writer at times... Also, I had to write with a pencil so as I tend to do with pencil and when writing slowly, I didn't join up my words... which I always do with a pen. So the part about my handwriting was inaccurate. In the summary, he suggested 'difficulties of a dyspraxic nature... poor organisation of work' when I know that isn't the half of it considering what other tests I struggled with and information I had given beforehand.
So even with a psychologist don't always expect full diagnosis accuracy. But it is useful to have evidence from such people.
Anywho, the guy who tested me was a psychologist. It was interesting getting the results sheets back, but there was this one test where he asked you to start writing an essay and choose one of his essay questions. It was kind of unfair that, of course I was going to be really slow at writing anything down if I've suddenly been given an essay question I don't know what to say about... in real essays you do have more time to prepare and rough out, etc., on in school exams you have some idea what might be asked (maybe... can't really remember now!
) But yeah, so my writing down time was recorded very slow. I am actually rather a fast writer at times... Also, I had to write with a pencil so as I tend to do with pencil and when writing slowly, I didn't join up my words... which I always do with a pen. So the part about my handwriting was inaccurate. In the summary, he suggested 'difficulties of a dyspraxic nature... poor organisation of work' when I know that isn't the half of it considering what other tests I struggled with and information I had given beforehand. So even with a psychologist don't always expect full diagnosis accuracy. But it is useful to have evidence from such people.
I don't know who Florence is, but yeah, it would be good if they raised awareness! *Pokes Daniel*Yes - I think celebrities such as Daniel Radcliffe and Florence Welch could talk about having dyspraxia more and help raise awareness.
Hopefully not making too many moot points... heh... *ahem* 
Re: Should I try to get another diagnosis?
She's Florence of Florence and the Machines fame!