This section of the forum has been filled with posts of late asking about getting an assessment. Rather than all of us repeating the same advice and experiences each time I think it would be a good idea if these were all combined and compressed into a helpful FAQ to quickly help new-comers to the forum and from where they can ask further questions should they need to.
With this is mind if you have tried to obtain an assessment for dyspraxia, whether or not you were successful, please could you reply to this thread and detail your experiences, stating:
- who you approached to be assessed
- whether you are in full-time education
- whether you tried to be assessed on the NHS or privately
- who you were referred to, if applicable
- the outcome and approximate cost, if applicable
- plus anything else you think would be useful
Then hopefully we can put together a reasonably definitive guide for newbies to the forum who can quickly and easily find at the very least a broad guide to the options available to them.
Thanks in advance,
Dan,
Dyspraxic Adults Forum Admin
Assessment FAQ
Moderator: Moderator Team
I was assessed through university, I went to the Disability Center at uni on another matter and they picked up the problem. Arranged an initial assessment and arranged a further assessment to see a chartered occupational psychologist which was paid by the universty. I was diagnosed with dyspraxia (which was a shock as I had never heard of dyspraxia before... I thought possibly it was dyslexia).
The tests used:
Aptitude Tests
Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale - WAIS-III (UK edition)
Achievement Test
Adult reading test
Wide range achievment test - reading and spelling
Timed sample of free writing
The tests used:
Aptitude Tests
Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale - WAIS-III (UK edition)
Achievement Test
Adult reading test
Wide range achievment test - reading and spelling
Timed sample of free writing
I won’t bore you with how I was diagnosed because it is probably irrelevant to you guys (seems like that’s an area where my experience differs).
However, I hope my experience in psychology (I’m doing my final registration at the moment) and now in research may provide a bit of help.
My advice is that in addition to the cognitive assessment done by a psychologist, I think it’s really important to have a thorough motor skills assessment as well. I feel that psychologists aren’t really that well trained to assess motor skills to the extent that you might think. Gross motor, fine motor, balance and coordination, motor planning (and other areas) really should be assessed. I recommend that you go to a physiotherapist for this assessment. These people are really well trained to observe and assess motor skills. They may be able to pick up details that a psychologist would miss. Psychologists would be able to pick up associated learning problems that many people with dyspraxia experience. At the moment, I don’t feel that doing the WISC alone is enough for a diagnosis of dyspraxia.
I have noticed that physiotherapists do not get much of a mention on these boards in terms of assessment. They are trained to assess motor skills, they would know what you are talking about and I’m sure the cost is reasonable. They are also able to diagnose dyspraxia. Sometimes I’m a bit confused why nobody tries this route at all. (The reality is that if you don’t have a motor problem, then you don’t have dyspraxia. So you might as well start by getting a motor assessment.)
I haven’t heard of anyone’s experience being diagnosed by a physiotherapist on these boards. So if you have been diagnosed by a physiotherapist let us know how it was.
I don’t know if I really addressed Dan’s questions, but that’s just my 2 bits worth, based on what I think dyspraxia is.
However, I hope my experience in psychology (I’m doing my final registration at the moment) and now in research may provide a bit of help.
My advice is that in addition to the cognitive assessment done by a psychologist, I think it’s really important to have a thorough motor skills assessment as well. I feel that psychologists aren’t really that well trained to assess motor skills to the extent that you might think. Gross motor, fine motor, balance and coordination, motor planning (and other areas) really should be assessed. I recommend that you go to a physiotherapist for this assessment. These people are really well trained to observe and assess motor skills. They may be able to pick up details that a psychologist would miss. Psychologists would be able to pick up associated learning problems that many people with dyspraxia experience. At the moment, I don’t feel that doing the WISC alone is enough for a diagnosis of dyspraxia.
I have noticed that physiotherapists do not get much of a mention on these boards in terms of assessment. They are trained to assess motor skills, they would know what you are talking about and I’m sure the cost is reasonable. They are also able to diagnose dyspraxia. Sometimes I’m a bit confused why nobody tries this route at all. (The reality is that if you don’t have a motor problem, then you don’t have dyspraxia. So you might as well start by getting a motor assessment.)
I haven’t heard of anyone’s experience being diagnosed by a physiotherapist on these boards. So if you have been diagnosed by a physiotherapist let us know how it was.
I don’t know if I really addressed Dan’s questions, but that’s just my 2 bits worth, based on what I think dyspraxia is.
"Success consists of going from failure to failure without loss of enthusiasm."
"Normal refers to someone who hasn’t had enough tests!"
"Normal refers to someone who hasn’t had enough tests!"
in theory all physios should be able to do motor skills assessments. any good physio should know about the motor side of dyspraxia. I dont have any personal experience so i really dont know what the reality is. i am ver interested to know. but a psychologist would know more about the educational side.
physios specialise in different areas. where i live, you can search the physiotherapist assocation website and search for physios who have specialised in neurology. some physios specialise in motor control...
not sure why they didnt pick your motor problems up.
I really don't know any stories about people being diagnosed by a physio.
physios specialise in different areas. where i live, you can search the physiotherapist assocation website and search for physios who have specialised in neurology. some physios specialise in motor control...
not sure why they didnt pick your motor problems up.
I really don't know any stories about people being diagnosed by a physio.
"Success consists of going from failure to failure without loss of enthusiasm."
"Normal refers to someone who hasn’t had enough tests!"
"Normal refers to someone who hasn’t had enough tests!"