Posted on Wednesday 27 August 2014
Sharmayne Pink and her son Alex
Making the move from primary to secondary school can be challenging for ‘clumsy’ children with developmental coordination disorder (DCD) as they sometimes struggle with planning and organising their time.
Thanks to an initiative by occupational therapists from Evelina London Children’s Healthcare, local children are being helped to become better organisers so their move to secondary school is a success.
Every year therapists run a one-week course so children and their parents can get advice and take time over the summer holidays to practise skills before the start of the new school year.
Sharmayne Pink's son Alex is starting at Harris Academy Beckenham on 2 September. Alex was diagnosed with DCD at six.
Sharmayne from Sydenham says: "I just thought I had an extremely fussy child. He'd complain about tags on his underwear and was over sensitive to touch, even holding his hand was difficult. He's academically astute but gets distracted and doesn't always focus in class.
"I'm nervous because he's anxious about what the older children will be like and whether he'll have friends. But the group has done wonders to boost his confidence.
“One day they went orienteering at the park which will help Alex when it comes to finding his way around. The occupational therapists have given him lots of strategies to help him cope.
"He's really excited about going now and we've been enjoying taking photos in his new uniform."
More than 80 children aged 10-11 have been helped by the group since it began in 2006.
Heather Turpin, a community occupational therapist, says: “Sometimes children struggle when they make the move from primary to secondary school.
“At primary school there’s a fairly simple structure. Staff will know which children need extra time because of their coordination problems and will make sure they are given more help. Many children feel safe and cushioned in the primary school environment.
“Often when children move to secondary school things suddenly become more complicated. They have to work things out for themselves. The school might be huge and not everyone will be going to the same class. This can be difficult for these children who may have problems planning and organising their time and their school work.”
Children work on practical and social skills including tying ties and shoe laces, following timetables, organising their school bag, and making new friendships so they feel more prepared and confident.
For more information contact the community children’s occupational therapy team on 020 3049 8181.