[SENco-forum] What is dyspraxia? (was dyspraxia assessment)

Double jointedness as it was known is HMS - Hyper Joint mobility syndrome.

I really wish more SENco's could know about it. There is a Beighton and
Brighton scoring system (below).  Some sufferers are pain free, and some in
a lot of pain -most will get early arthritis.  All need Physio to learn to
support and strengthen their joints to avoid soft tissue injury. Pain is not
recognised early enough (poor procioception) and damage occurs.  Injuries
take longer to heal as the HMS affects all connective tissue as well as
joints and skin.

Mild cases may show only as slow/poor handwriting in the first instance
(until you 'score' them) and therefore overlooked. My son has this and we
thought it was DCD(dyspraxia).  My older daughter has repeated sport
injuries, mobile kneecaps and terrible striae (stretch marks) not caused by
overweight.  Skin is prone to scarring after injury or acne.  HMS can in
itself be a symptom of more serious genetic conditions such as Marfans (tall
thin pale).

Information is online at www.hypermobility.org/diagnosis

Sharon Tringham