Proprioceptive Dysfunction/Dyspraxia... what to expect?

Chrissy - posted on 10/16/2012

my son is 21 months and recently a friend of mine (who is a SEIT with a special education Masters) watched him run on the playground and heard him talk and she thinks he definitely has proprioceptive dysfunction. I myself am a former preschool teacher and so i am completely for giving my child all the help he may need, but i am feeling a bit sad about it at the moment and i wanted to thank Ashley and everyone else for their suggestions.

Lani - posted on 08/19/2011

I don't know too much about proprioceptive dysfunction, however in looking for help with my daughter who has other challenges I found out about the work of Dr. Campbell-McBride in England. I can't remember her first name, however she has develloped a dietary program that could possibly help your child. It is called the GAPS diet. There is nothing to loose either because it is non invasive and pretty cheap as it is just a dietary change. I am planning to try this with my child and I have heard that it helps Dispraxia, autism, and many other conditions. It may be worth checking it out. Good luck! :)

Stephanie - posted on 06/07/2011

OT's are fountains of great information and suggestions! We cannot wait to get started for my son!!!

Alisha - posted on 04/20/2011

Thanks Ashley... Proprioceptive Dysfunction is all new to us. We did try a weight belt in his lap yesterday during an activity and he was like a totally different child! His OT is just starting and she has been pretty helpful with ideas.

Ashley - posted on 04/19/2011

My son was never officially diagnosed with Proprioceptive Dysfunction, but he has it as part of overall Sensory Processing Disorder. It does get better, if you approach it properly. For my son, there is no such thing as too much proprioceptive input. We do joint compression every 90-120 minutes during the day. We run. We jump. We flip. He climbs (which I don't suggest allowing unless you're always there to supervise lol). We use his sit and spin, with a 5lb weight set next to him, as our primary upper body work. His OT showed me some exercises to do with him. When I want him to focus on something specific, such as a puzzle, I'll sit with him and apply pressure to one or more of his joints (usually knees or ankles). The more input I give him, the better.



I also really want to get weighted stuff (vest, pants, etc) but his insurance won't cover it and we can't afford to pay out-of-pocket for it, so I'm going to see if I can modify some of the clothes he already has or learn to make them.

Lani - posted on 08/19/2011

I don't know too much about proprioceptive dysfunction, however in looking for help with my daughter who has other challenges I found out about the work of Dr. Campbell-McBride in England. I can't remember her first name, however she has develloped a dietary program that could possibly help your child. It is called the GAPS diet. There is nothing to loose either because it is non invasive and pretty cheap as it is just a dietary change. I am planning to try this with my child and I have heard that it helps Dispraxia, autism, and many other conditions. It may be worth checking it out. Good luck! :)

Alisha - posted on 04/20/2011

Thanks Ashley... Proprioceptive Dysfunction is all new to us. We did try a weight belt in his lap yesterday during an activity and he was like a totally different child! His OT is just starting and she has been pretty helpful with ideas.

Ashley - posted on 04/19/2011

My son was never officially diagnosed with Proprioceptive Dysfunction, but he has it as part of overall Sensory Processing Disorder. It does get better, if you approach it properly. For my son, there is no such thing as too much proprioceptive input. We do joint compression every 90-120 minutes during the day. We run. We jump. We flip. He climbs (which I don't suggest allowing unless you're always there to supervise lol). We use his sit and spin, with a 5lb weight set next to him, as our primary upper body work. His OT showed me some exercises to do with him. When I want him to focus on something specific, such as a puzzle, I'll sit with him and apply pressure to one or more of his joints (usually knees or ankles). The more input I give him, the better.



I also really want to get weighted stuff (vest, pants, etc) but his insurance won't cover it and we can't afford to pay out-of-pocket for it, so I'm going to see if I can modify some of the clothes he already has or learn to make them.