Dyspraxic Adults

hi,

I've realised that I'm most definitely dispraxic, i have every symptom and all my life I knew there was something wrong and i know what but am waiting for a diagnosis.

the reason i want a diagnosis is so I can get help with maths for an Open University computer science course, I would like to know if there is any help specifically with dyscalculia related to or part of dyspraxia. by help i mean specialist teachers that could help me., overcome my problem or help me to cope better.

i've always had the symptoms of dyspraxia but the real effect on my learning began when i was 12 yo and was enjoying algebra and simultaneous linear equations, i was in the top band but over night for some reason i dropped to the bottom of the class. at this time i suffered a serious head injury and i blamed that,but it didn't cause harm to my other subjects,whether the head injury was just coincidence i don't know. i do remember though at an aerlier age having real difficulty memorising times tables.

at my present level i struggle with even basic mental arithmetic and wondering whether some of the techniques used for teaching people with dyscalculia that are available in other countries but not seemingly here could be used by specialist tutors from the OU.

thanks for any help.

To be honest I think the best people to ask are the University as they hopefully might be able to give you some leads to follow. There does seem to be mention of Dyscalculia on the Dyslexia Association's* page here http://www.dyslexia.uk.net/specific-lea ... scalculia/. If you click through to Services you could try contacting them for advice (if you haven't already?)

I tried Chemistry at A Level but my poor understanding of mathematical concepts meant I was lucky to salvage an AS out of my two years. Number Bases are beyond me too. I don't know how you approach the maths but for myself it Is all to often with trepidation and I unfortunately that would affect my ability to concentrate retain and put in to practice the necessary steps or operations.

Sorry I can't really offer anything that useful and it appears you have done a decent amount of research already.



*There is no mention of Dyspraxia there even if it is a related SPLD GRRR!

thanks for the advice,

i will check that information.

trepidation is the way i feel about maths,but i've read there are coping mechanisms and ways to combat this,trepidation is recognised as one of the main barriers.

from what I remember from chemistry its almost as bad as physics in relation to maths. that you still get an AS due to poor maths gives me hope,that if I can get help i will be able to get to the necessary standard of maths for computer science, as apart from the worrying binary number systems which then are converted to use base 16 hexadecimal for more clarity, when in school i could grasp the fundamentals of binary and hex in computer studies. but what i have to say is that the equations/algorithms when used in programming once understood,one could reference them from a text book and then incorporate them into the program. chemistry from what i remember one constantly has to use complex maths equations.

the OU will only look into this when i've got student disability allowance,for which to get i need a diagnosis.

thanks