Coordination, Concentration, Mental Health

Coordination Difficulties

Coordination difficulties can impact on a child/young person’s daily life skills such as handwriting, using cutlery, riding bike and personal care. At Yes @ Areté Learning Trust we follow a research based approach and recommend that key skills should be focused on. We also support the inclusion of students in a range of activities which develop basic coordination skills of balance, core strength and agility.

Many children have trouble concentrating and paying attention in class. There can be a number of different reasons why they have difficulties focusing. Reasons may include:

  • lack of practice in a new environment.
  • lack of understanding of learning
  • isn't being challenged enough
  • distracted by external stimuli
  • lack of motivation
  • sleep or diet difficulties
  • difficulties with organisation
  • school anxiety

If a student is having severe problems in the classroom  following instructions, are disrupting the learning of others, and are making limited progress , and the other possible factors have been considered, it is recommended that learning difficulties such as ADD, ADHD, Dyslexia or Auditory Processing Disorder are considered. 

YES@Areté Learning Trust is able to help to develop a good understanding of how to support an individual student.

Developmental Co-ordination Disorder (DCD), also known as Dyspraxia in the

UK, is a common disorder affecting fine or gross motor co-ordination in children and adults. This lifelong condition is formally recognised by international organisations including the World Health Organisation.

  • DCD occurs across the range of intellectual abilities
  • Individuals may vary in how their difficulties present
  • Difficulties may change over time depending on environmental demands and life experience
  • An individual’s co-ordination difficulties may affect participation and functioning of everyday life skills in education, work and employment
  • Children may present with difficulties with self-care, writing, typing, riding a bike and play as well as other educational and recreational activities
  • In adulthood many of these difficulties will continue, as well as learning new skills at home, in education and work, such as driving a car and DIY.
  • There may be a range of co-occurring difficulties which can also have serious negative impacts on daily life including social and emotional difficulties as well as problems with time management, planning and personal organisation and these may also affect an adult’s education or employment experiences

 

Developmental Coordnation Disorder: The Impact On The Family

Occupational Therapist: Foundation Skills

Occupational Therapist: Hand Skills

Occupational Therapist: Skilled Hand Use

Mental Health Support Needs of Teenagers with Dyspraxia

Ideas to Develop Fine Motor Skills

Hand Skills - Putty Programme

Coordination Difficulties Flow Chart

Movement Matters is the UK umbrella organisation representing the major national groups concerned with children and adults with coordination difficulties, a condition called Developmental Coordination Disorder (or DCD) and sometimes referred to as ‘dyspraxia’. 

Movement Matters was formed early in 2011 to act as an umbrella group to bring together the key bodies involved in Developmental Coordination Disorder/Dyspraxia in the UK. This includes DCD-UK, the Dyspraxia Foundation, and the National Handwriting Association

Fantastic Dyspraxic is a specialist Dyspraxia shop with a range of resources to support students with coordination difficulties.

Occupational Therapy Resource Pack developed by Shropshire Community Health NHS Trust

Fizzy and Clever Hands Programme developed by therapists in East Kent NHS Trust

Teach Handwriting a comprehensive website with ideas, resources and strategies for teaching handwriting

Better Movers and Thinkers Education Scotland a resource pack designed to support teachers plan and facilitate learning in Physical Education

Yes@Areté Learning Trust is part of Hambleton and Richmondshire Inclusive Sports Steering Committee. The group was formed with the vision of extending the range of inclusive sports opportunities available in the locality and ensuring that all activities are signposted effectively. 

Yes@Areté Learning Trust provide a range of inclusive sports under 'Activities for All'

1. Swimming

Richmond and the Dales Amateur Swimming Club have gained funding to provide additional swimming lessons for students with specific difficulties. 

2. Cycling

Stage One Cycles from Hawes provide specialist teaching to get students riding a bike. 

3. Inclusive Sports

  • North Yorkshire Inclusive Sports all activities are publicised via their Facebook page. No need to book - just turn up.
  • North Yorkshire Sport Ltd is a registered charity and the County Sports Partnership (CSP) for North Yorkshire & York. Their overall aim as an organisation is to promote and encourage increased participation in sport & active recreation, whether as a participant, volunteer or coach.
  • Special Olympics North Yorkshire are the accredited Special Olympics Delivery Network for North Yorkshire. If you are interested in helping as a volunteer in any capacity please drop us an e-mail: Info@SO-NY.org.uk.

4. Horse Riding

The Riding for the Disabled website provides information about local clubs and what they offer.

5. Cricket

Yorkshire Cricket Board provide opportunities for students in both mainstream and special schools through their Chance To Shine Project.

6. Triathlon

Visit Go Tri - Get into Triathon to get further information about the activities they offer.

7. North Yorkshire Inclusive School Sports Partnership

The North Yorkshire Inclusive School Sport Partnership is based at Mowbray School in Bedale. The School Games Organiser (Fran Nichol) works with the North Yorkshire and York Special schools to enhance the quality and range of inclusive sporting opportunities for children with Special Educational Needs and / or Disabilities (SEND). 

 

Supporting Your Child with School Anxiety and Refusal

If your child is struggling at school, the important thing is to recognise there’s a problem to be solved, and to work with them and the school to find the right support as soon as you can. Young Minds provides support for families and students.

ARC The Attachment Research Community 

Attachment theory explains how children build an internal working model of themselves and the world through relationships. Trauma, abuse, neglect, separation and bereavement have adverse effects, which means the child and adult's sense of safety and relationships need to be rebuilt in order for them to learn.

The Attachment Research Community (ARC) supports schools and settings to develop best attachment and trauma aware practice. ARC is a charitable organisation set up in 2017 with a mission to support all schools to be attachment and trauma aware by 2025. 

Podcasts

From Co-Regulation to Self Regulation with Andrea Edmondson

Lessons learnt from alternative provision with Mike Armiger

Conscious Breathing

Breathwork is the perfect wellness strategy for schools to support both the staff and pupils of any age, as it addresses core areas of health, physical, mental and emotional, in a simple, accessible way.

Benefits of breathwork include:

  • More energy
  • Improved creativity
  • Enhanced mindfulness and focus
  • Relaxation
  • Improved sleep
  • Reduced anxiety and depression
  • Increased resillience
  • Greather ability to manage emotions
  • Increased ability to manage stress
  • Reduction in bullying

The Breathing App - for Coherent Breathing

For optimal physical and mental health we should breathe 5-6 breathes (in and out as 1) per minute. This app will assist to guide through the coherent breathing expercise. Most people need to set it to 5:5  or 6:6 (in for 6 seconds, out for 6 seconds), or if that’s too slow then start at 4:4 or whatever starting rate works and gradually work towards 5:5 or 6:6. ANY breathing rate that is slowing you down towards the Coherent Breathing rate is going to support you to feel better.