The Student Support Centre helps the Moyes family in Lanarkshire

Taylor is ready for the step up after dux commendation

Jun 30 2010 by Michael Pringle, Airdrie & Coatbridge

SCHOOL’S out for summer and many youngsters will soon take the daunting step of moving up to high school.

One such pupil is Taylor Moyes (11) who was struggling at school until he was diagnosed with dyspraxia two years ago. But since his diagnosis Taylor's progress has been so rapid that this year he received a commendation in the dux award.

The condition used to be known as Clumsy Child Syndrome and is thought to affect up to 10 percent of the UK population with boys four times more likely to develop it than girls. It doesn’t change the intelligence of a child but affects their learning ability.

It can affect also movement and coordination as brain messages are not properly transmitted to the body. Known as a motor learning disability, it leads to clumsiness and problems with language, perception and thought.

Taylor is making the transition from primary school to Caldervale High after the summer holidays, a move that is daunting for most kids. His parents have already visited the school to ensure the change will be as smooth as possible.

Mum Audrey said: “He will receive assisted learning, Taylor needs a bit more time to do things that most people take for granted, simple measures can help – like putting his desk next to a wall so that he doesn’t drop things.”

Taylor’s specialist doctor suggested his parents help him out more at home, and proposed The Student Support Centre’s ‘simply’ maths and English programmes. Since then he has come on in leaps and bounds.

Click here to read the full story published on Jun 30 2010 by Michael Pringle, Airdrie & Coatbridge