
People with Dyspraxia/DCD benefit most from one-to-one therapy. They need the support of qualified professionals on a regular basis to help them reach their full potential. Children with Dyspraxia/DCD need support and understanding in the educational system.
Our online support service is available to all those affected by Dyspraxia/DCD. If you need help please contact us at https://www.dyspraxia.ie/Online-Supports and we will reply by email directing you to the most appropriate services. If you need to talk to us directly we can organise a call-back to discuss the matter further with you.
Your first point of contact is your local Assessment Officer who is responsible for your child's assessment. Each Local Health Office has an Assessment Officer and you can find the relevant details for your region here. The Assessment Officer can assist you with your child's application and help and support you through the process and is responsible for issuing your child's Assessment Report. All assessments will be carried out in line with the standards endorsed by the Health Information and Quality Authoritywww.hiqa.ie/standards. You will be encouraged to take part in your child's assessment. Click here to visit the HSE for further information on how the application process works.
If there is a long waiting list then you might consider engaging a private service. We would advise that you use an occupational therapist experienced in the area of Dyspraxia/DCD who will be able to provide you with a definite diagnosis. The Association of Occupational Therapists in Ireland (AOTI) have a range of registered clinicians who you can contact https://www.aoti.ie/
Dyspraxia/DCD Ireland will shortly be undertaking specific training for Occupational Therapists in carrying out best practice assessments. When this training is completed we will list all registered practitioners on our website for ease of contact.
A Clinical Psychologist and a neurologist can also provide and confirm a diagnosis of Dyspraxia/DCD, if it is present, whilst ruling out any other underlying medical conditions. For further information please contact https://www.psychologicalsociety.ie.
If speech and language therapy has been recommended, contact Dyspraxia/DCD Ireland at info@dyspraxia.ie or call 01-8747085 for more information.
Once there is a concrete diagnosis of Dyspraxia/DCD, your child is entitled to resource hours. A Special Needs Assistant (SNA) may be allocated if 'significant care' for the child is required. Typically the child may have access to an SNA to help overcome specific challenges, for example organising locker and books, until such time that your child learns how to do it themselves.
The purpose of the SNA scheme is to provide for the significant additional care needs which some pupils with special educational needs may have.
For more information on any of these therapies contact us at info@dyspraxia.ie
Receiving a diagnosis of Dyspraxia/DCD for yourself or your child can be an emotional time. If you are struggling with issues related to a diagnosis and feel that you would benefit from speaking to a counsellor please contact us at counsellor@dyspraxia.ie. Please note this is a very limited service and we do not have the capacity to discuss specific issues over the phone.