Dyslexic child -getting her seen by an Educational Psychologist?

[Mumski]

We have had a lot of problems with oldest daughter at school. We have now moved her and she is a lot happier. Her teacher feels she has mild Dyslexia and has suggested she sees an Ed Psychologist so he can clarify the exact difficulties she is having amongst other things. I would do what ever it takes to help her. Dh however as a typical man is worried about her being labled and this becoming a problem for her later on. Has any one got any experience of this? Very grateful for any info.

[whatsaname]

No useful advice I'm afraid but Dyslexia is very common and I don't think you should be concerned about her being 'labelled'. It is in her best interests for it to be recognised as soon as possible.

So often these things get missed and it make school life harder than necessary for the children. I'm sure you'd rather her be called 'dyslexic' than 'stupid'.

My brother has mild dyslexia that was never picked up at school, they thought he was 'lazy'

[fio2]

In my experience educational pyschologists are very careful 'not' to label children. Nowadays they dont usually even write statements for dyslexic children. Our dd's ed psych was lovely so dont worry about it

[Jimjams]

It's not a label it's a signpost

[whatsaname]

Good call Jimjams!

[Jimjams]

sorry that was probably a bit blunt (bad day today) it's just something someone said to me when we started the diagnosis road with ds1. I don't think anyone really bats an eyelid about dyslexia these days anyway. And you can get extra time in exams- worth it if she needs it.

[Mumski]

Thanks every one for the help. She's 8 years old. She has problems learning things such as spelling/tables. The huge effort involved doesn't reflect in the tests. She's got a reading and spelling age of about six. She finds it difficult to concentrate for more than 10 mins.(nailing to seat helps!!!!)+ very impulsive. We are having extra lessons for her so her reading is picking up - but still a long way to go.We had her tested on things including non verbal and verbal reasoning and she showed the ability of an 11 year old. So some thing is going on in her head. Everyone keeps saying once her reding is sorted she will really take off. Bit of an up hill slog at the moment though.

[FairyMum]

Take a look at:

www.femail.co.uk/pages/standard/article.html?in_article_id=198603&in_page_id=2

[Copper]

mumski
make sure you feed her imagination and keep her going with lots of story tapes of books harder than anything she could as yet read herself - if she has the mind of an 11 yr old and the abilities of a 6 yr old she must be getting very bored and frustrated. Did this with my ds and he really enjoyed tehm. Also he learned an awful lot by watching anything even vaguely educational on tv. When we eventually got a 'label' for him it was actually a big help and a big relief for him

[mumeeee]

The school should be able to arrange for your daughter to see an Ed Psychologist. My DD has dyspraxia and when she was first having problems at school, the scool arranged for her to see an Ed Phsycologist. She was seen in year 2 although her teacher had asked for one in year one( everything takes time}. She was observed in the classroom and then on her own. The Pshcologist then spoke to her class theacher, the SENCO and me and my DH. Ask hethe head teacher to refer her.

[Mumski]

The is some very good pointers and info here. I think I'll print this thread off and wave it under Dh nose. Loved the 'sign post' not label comment from Jim Jams - wise words!
Thanks everyone