Dyspraxia APPG launches inquiry
New inquiry seeks to understand and improve support for dyspraxic people in the UK
The All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Dyspraxia has today (03.08.20) launched an inquiry into the experiences of people with dyspraxia in a bid to ensure that all those with the condition are better supported in society.
The group, which is supported by the Dyspraxia Foundation and Whole School SEND, brings together parliamentarians, individuals and organisations to raise awareness on issues surrounding dyspraxia and other neurodivergent conditions.
The inquiry will seek to explore how COVID-19 has affected dyspraxic people, their contribution to the economy and the role that public services have to play in ensuring that children, young people and adults with this condition have a more inclusive experience.
To help inform the next steps that are needed to better support people with dyspraxia to succeed, and to outline a robust set of recommendations to Ministers, the inquiry is seeking the views of:
- people with lived experience of dyspraxia – including children, adults and families
- research professionals
- health professionals such as occupational therapists
- educational professionals and bodies
- employers
- third sector organisations and voluntary groups
- public sector organisations, including local authorities and Government departments.
The APPG on Dyspraxia are keen for submissions to take a range of approaches, including personal accounts, case studies of successful approaches, and research and statistics on the issue. The findings will be analysed by the Group, collected into key themes and used to drive positive change.
Speaking about the new inquiry, Emma Lewell-Buck, MP for South Shields and Chair of the Group, said:
“Dyspraxics are unique in that we are the big thinkers, creators and innovators, always thinking outside of the box. But, we also struggle with a condition that is often misunderstood. As a result, we are not given the right support throughout our lives.
“As someone who has dyspraxia I am proud to Chair and launch this inquiry alongside my fellow dyspraxic parliamentarian Tom Hunt. I look forward to reading all contributions and pushing forward some long overdue changes for all dyspraxics.”
Calling for all dyspraxic people to share their experiences as part of this inquiry, Tom Hunt, MP for Ipswich and Co-Chair of the APPG on Dyspraxia said:
“I struggled at school with dyspraxia and I wasn’t properly diagnosed until I was 12; I’d encourage everyone with experience of dyspraxia to share their experiences, as it’s important we have the information we need to raise awareness of what additional support there needs to be and how it can be improved. I look forward to studying all the evidence in detail and I’ll do everything I can to make sure the recommendations are brought to the Government’s attention.”
Sophie Kayani, Trustee and Chair of the Dyspraxia Foundation, said:
“The Dyspraxia Foundation welcomes and supports the work of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Dyspraxia. It reflects our longstanding position on the need for a greater understanding of dyspraxia as a lifelong condition. We need policies that reflect this understanding across all aspects of society including education, employment, health and the provision of public services, and greater public awareness of the condition to support genuine inclusion, enable individuals to thrive and to challenge stigma.
“We need to recognise the personal and economic cost of failing to recognise the specific challenges of dyspraxia. Achieving positive change will require the closest possible cooperative working between people with dyspraxia, researchers, representative bodies, policy makers and practitioners in health, education and employment.”
Anne Heavey, Director for Whole School SEND, said:
“We are delighted to support this call for evidence. The submissions will provide valuable insights into how the education system can be improved to ensure that every dyspraxic person gets the opportunities and support that they need to reach their potential and achieve their ambitions.”
The deadline to submit evidence as part of this inquiry is 17:00 on Friday 28 August. If you have evidence to submit, please send it to: info@wholeschoolsend.com
To find out more about the inquiry, please visit the APPG’s website:
https://dyspraxiafoundation.org.uk/appg/
If you wish to submit evidence in a different format for accessibility reasons, please contact annabelb@nasen.org.uk and all reasonable efforts will be made to accommodate your request.
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Notes for editors
About the APPG on Dyspraxia / DCD
- The APPG on Dyspraxia / DCD exists to raise awareness of Dyspraxia/DCD and other neurodivergent conditions, and to share ideas and act as a link between Parliament and individuals, organisations and charities involved with this issue.
- The APPG’s members are Emma Lewell-Buck (Chair, MP for South Shields), Tom Hunt (Co-Chair, MP for Ipswich), Sir David Amess (Vice Chair, MP for Southend West), and Lord Addington.
- The group is led by the Dyspraxia Foundation with secretariat support kindly provided by Whole School SEND
- Please note that individuals and families will use the terms ‘people with dyspraxia’ and ‘dyspraxic people’. We respect whatever terminology individuals prefer to use about themselves or their children, noting terminology can also change over time and context.
- For more information about the work of the APPG, please visit the APPG’s website at https://www.dyspraxiafoundation.org.uk/appg/ or contact publicaffairs@dyspraxiafoundation.org.uk.
About the Dyspraxia Foundation
The Dyspraxia Foundation:
- Provides information and support for people with dyspraxia and those who live or work with them through a telephone helpline and email enquiry service, website, social media, leaflets and information sheets.
- Supports a national network of local groups run by volunteers (including groups for adults with dyspraxia) and a closed Facebook Group for young people with dyspraxia aged 13-25 years
- Raises awareness of dyspraxia by hosting conferences, events and webinars, holding an annual Awareness Week campaign, briefing policy makers and by responding to government enquiries on issues of concern to people with dyspraxia.
- Promotes better understanding of dyspraxia by supporting research, publishing a peer reviewed Professional Journal and by running conferences for professionals working in health, education and employment.
- For further information about the Dyspraxia Foundation visit dyspraxiafoundation.org.uk or follow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/dyspraxiafdtn or like us on Facebook https://fb.me/DyspraxiaFoundation
About Whole School SEND
- The Whole School SEND Consortium brings together schools, organisations and individuals who are committed to ensuring that every child and young person with SEND can achieve their potential at school.
- Whole School SEND is hosted by nasen (National Association for Special Educational Needs) – a charitable membership organisation that exists to support and champion those working with, and for, children and young people with SEND and learning differences.
- The Whole School SEND Consortium is delivering the Department for Education Strategic Support to the Workforce in Mainstream and Special Schools Contract 2018-2021 and a randomised control trial of the Whole School SEND Review in mainstream secondary settings funded by the Education Endowment Foundation (EEF).
- The Whole School SEND Review Guide Suite lies at the heart of the Whole School SEND
Consortium’s work. These resources can be used to identify strengths and areas for development in SEND provision by teachers, SENCos and other leaders.
- Members of the Whole School SEND Community of Practice can access free resources co-produced with families, children, education professionals and specialists, research, “What Works” signposting, and bespoke training.
- For further information, visit sendgateway.org.uk/whole-school-send/ or follow on Twitter @WholeSchoolSEND
- For further information on nasen, visit nasen.org.uk or follow on Twitter @nasen_org