New school term can create fear

A RESIDENT of Appleton is highlighting the results of a new survey which reveal that the start of a new school term can create huge levels of anxiety, fear or even dread for the hundreds of teenagers diagnosed with the developmental co-ordination disorder, dyspraxia.
Jonathan Levy serves as Trustee of the Dyspraxia Foundation with particular responsibility for teenagers and young adults.
He said: “Whilst this survey has flagged up some very real issues which must be addressed by schools, families and support services, our charity has a really positive outlook and we support so many wonderful young people, who are achieving fantastic things – despite their own difficulties.
“At the Dyspraxia Foundation, we truly believe that nothing should hold a young person back from fulfilling their potential.”
The survey, commissioned by the foundation, highlights that the emotional impact of the dyspraxia is far greater in 13-19 age group than the more obvious problems with co-ordination or motor skills, often associated with younger children when the condition is first recognised.
Eighty four per cent said they had felt left out of a friendship group due to their “differences”, with more than a third (35 per cent) saying this was a constant problem.
Seventy per cent said they had been victims of bullying – a worrying pattern that was echoed by the parents and carers who took part in the survey, with 15 per cent saying they felt their child was “always bullied.”
It is widely recognised that teenagers with dyspraxia are at greater risk of social isolation because their co-ordination difficulties may make it hard to participate in “socially-valued” activities such as playing an instrument or team sports.
Indeed 77 per cent of those questioned said they avoided participating in sport, with 33 per cent admitting they “always avoided such physical activity”.
Worryingly, the survey suggests that 95 per cent of parents and carers believe that their teenage child has experienced feeling of anxiety – due to issues such as being late for lessons, forgetting appointments, losing books or equipment and poor presentation of their written work.
Forty per cent of teenagers with dyspraxia who took part in the survey said they felt anxious “all of the time.”
In practical terms, life in a secondary school environment – particularly for those who had recently made the transition from a more protected and “cosier” setting of primary school – presented a series of problems that many children of a similar age might take for granted.
Sally Payne, paediatric occupational therapist and trustee of the Dyspraxia Foundation said: “What this survey has really reinforced to us as a charity is that it’s the emotional aspects that hit teenagers and young adults most hard – especially when trying to navigate the already ‘tricky’ aspects of growing up, such as the transition to secondary school or college, friendships, potential bullying, leaving home and generally learning to fend for yourselves.
“This can be a ‘minefield’ for most teenagers but those who are already struggling with co-ordination, memory or organisation skills, the impact on self-esteem and confidence can be huge.”
The Foundation is focusing on teenagers during its awareness week, has re-launched its helpline and introduced a new teenage information officer who will be available to offer advice for young people experiencing any difficulties associated with dyspraxia and share info via the charity’s social media networks.
In response to the survey, Children and Families Minister Edward Timpson said: “No child should suffer from anxiety or bullying – and our reforms will help ensure children with dyspraxia get the support they need.
“Schools should now be clear about the measures they should take to prevent children and young people with special education needs and disabilities being bullied.
“The changes brought in by our reforms put the individual needs of each child at the centre of a more simple and joined up system that focuses on helping them to achieve their best.”
Dyspraxia affects around 5 per cent of the population and families – and there are believed to be one to two children affected in every class of 30 children.