DCD/Dyspraxia: North Ayrshire HeadStart Programme: Working Together

In this session we will discuss:

• the nature of DCD/Dyspraxia

• working with other agencies to identify and address additional support needs

• building confidence: staff, pupils and parents

• the HeadStart programme

Schools can and do identify learners who have additional support needs relating to health/disability. Referral to other agencies for assessment can be problematic in terms of waiting lists. A senior Paediatric Occupational Therapist worked for a year with a seconded PE teacher to develop a movement programme for use by school staff members that was both diagnostic and therapeutic in nature. A checklist for assessment use was devised to accompany the programme. Staff members in every authority primary school were trained to deliver the programme and to complete the assessment checklist.

Since implementing the programme, referral rates for OT assessment have fallen by more than half. Accuracy rates of referrals from schools have risen from 20% to 80%. The local OT department will now only accept referrals for assessment from primary schools if the assessment checklist has been completed. In relation to therapy, the programme itself has shown to be effective in supporting the development of motor skills and motor co-ordination for children who have mild to moderate DCD/Dyspraxia.

Allan Cowieson has worked in the area of learning support since 1986. While on the academic staff at Northern College where he was part of the SEN PG Diploma course team, Allan 's main areas of research were in dyslexia and dyspraxia. He took this interest with him to North ayrshire where he was Pupil Support service co-ordinator before taking up his current post.

Lucie Fontana has for several years been the lead senior clinician for DCD/dyspraxia in the Rainbow House Occupational Therapy team. She has worked closely with colleagues within education and is a valued support to pupils, parents and to schools.

For the past few years, Danny Lavery has been developing interests in sensory integration and the use of physical movement as a therapeutic intervention. He is a qualified PE teacher. He runs his own consultancy company, Practicalplay.