Hi, was advised to post this here. Hope right place.

[MamaMaiasaura]

I posted this yesterday on SN:

Since ds1 started school his teachers have rated his ability highly. He is very good at reading and did well in his sats. He is now in year 3. His also is very well behaved, eager to please, listens, kind to others etc.

In year 1 the teacher called me in as ds wasnt writing enough in class for the time given and would basically sit doing nothing but daydream. This went onto his numeracy too.

He ended up changing schools due to us living in a different area. They really supported him and he was top sets for everything. He got 2b for writing in SATS but was told by teacher he was more than able of a 3 but simply hadnt written enough.

Anyway, I have consistently noticed he needs prompting with homework and that daydreams easily. It isnt that he doesnt know answers but when it comes to writing them down is like a light switches off. Same with numeracy. His dad has dyslexia and university wanted to assess me. Ds's first cousin (only other boy in family) is being assessed. HE is a fair bit older but had very similar problems throughout school.

School did a mini assessment (they said the waiting list for full assessment is too long) on him and he did well and above average on everything but writing speed. His literacy and numeracy teacher kept me behind today to speak to about the fact that ds seems to daydream and not actually do the amount of work, although verbally he knows it. For example in numeracy, instead of 10 questions, he does 3. In literacy, it can take him 10 minutes to write the title, then he does an alright amount then drifts off again. ALthough he is able to do the work in the sets he is they are considering moving him as they dont have the staff to support him.

Because of his assessment results his teacher said that they dont think he has any specific needs. It seems to me though that ds has problems getting out on paper what is in his head, like the connection there is hard.

He is keen, enthuisiastic, very able and it is so hard to see him feel so demotivatied by this. Has anyone any experience in this? In my gut i feel that he needs support and help in learning how to get that information out. He has been at school for 4 years and this has been consistant. I am thinking of funding an independant assessment for dyslexia/learning needs. Any advice??

Today spoke to head who agrees that ds is needing support. She has already spoken to his numeracy teacher suggesting a reward type scheme. Tbh I think ds will just about manage it for a day and then (because it is such a struggle) not. Head thinks it may well be a cognitive issue but is a chance it is a learnt behaviour too. Either way I just want to support him. She is going to look at his assessment and also look and doing another one. Will look at full referral for full assessment too. I just want ds to be happy and relaxed. He is so stressed out as he is always last. His words per minute have been measured as low as 5/6 and 3 sums in 40 minutes

He confided in me that it is really troubling him. He really doesnt like school at the moment because it is all too much. I love him so much and just want to do what is best.

[ChipButty]

Have you tried speaking to the SENCo? Insist on a dyslexia test - that there is a long waiting list is irrelevant. The actual test takes only 15-20 mins to perform. I am sorry that your son is getting stressed too. Good luck.

[MamaMaiasaura]

I think the head teacher is going to speak to the SENco today. Tbh i keep wondering if it is all my fault. Either i have supported him too much and pressured him, or i havent done enough.

Head is also keen to wathc ds in action so to speak. She knows ds already (he only started in Sept) as he is one of those kids who gets on with everyone, very engaging intelligent etc.

[ChipButty]

Whatever happens you shouldn't blame yourself! You sound like a great Mum to me and dyslexics don't emerge from being loved and supported by their parents.

[sarah573]

I agree with chip - get him on the waiting list - don't be fobbed off by the old 'list too long' story. Well it can be one longer then, thank you very much!!

If you don't get any joy from the school then go an see your GP and ask to be referred to see a peadiatrician.

Don't take no for an answer! If you upset a few teachers/SENCOS/GPs along the way, to get your son the help he needs then tough luck.

[sarah573]

ps - its NOT your fault!!

[Peachy]

of course its not your fault Awen!

Also- Snap! Was told by ds2's clas SENCO this week that she is pretty sure he is dyslexic and needs assessment, and is asking then for class support. Now, I am just pleased don't have to apply for a statement (otehr 2 boys statemnted for ASD stuff).

There are places out there that can help with dyslexia- a friend uses Dore and BIBIC (both have websites i think- I know BIBIC does I use them for the others). But i think there are a few other schemes as well adn its worth asking around.

[MamaMaiasaura]

Thanks for replys. I had a phone call from the school senco today. We had a lengthy conversation. Upshot of it is that they did the dylexic indicator (school versoin not proper full assessment) and he scored 0.1 meaning according to that he is at low risk to have dyslexia. It was clear from test that he is a 'slow writer' though. She has suggested that we try the reward method at school for him. Thing is I will support the school in what they try but this has been going on for years and the only thing that i have found that helped by the school system so far was when he had an emotional literacy session regularly.

Also ds is only 7 so alot of the indicators wont be clear till he is older according to the senco and also from reading up on the net, dp was confirmed till he was in secondary school. SHe said that the fact he also daydreams is typical of boys which i think is a bit of a sweeping statement. I did mention that perhaps this could be something to do with the higher incidence of dyslexia. Also read some research from October 2007 that in a report 67% of children who should have achived level 4 in the year 6 sats failed to do so due to the slow writing speed.

Ds's numeracy teacher caught me at the end of th eday and also said about trying reward scheme and also thanked me for letting them know that ds wants to sit on his own (ds is adament he wants this). Find this a little worrying that he is distancing himself although he does interact alot socially at playtime.

Also has been mentioned that ds is a perfectionist (numeracy teacher said as well) and ds actually said at this point he wants to do his work perfectly so people will be proud Have piled on the reassurance that I am very proud and all i ever want is him to do is try his best and that is ok. I now wonder if that is not helping either as for him his best is perfect.

I know that there are lots of children with far far more complex needs and feel like i am taking up the schools time with what they probably see as a minor issue. But ds has so much potential and his teachers can all see this. My worry is that he will get passed over as he isnt able to work fast enough for the teacher, so they will move him to set below etc. If this continues through school this could have real consequences for him. THe senco actually concurred with this view.

[MamaMaiasaura]

sorry that was a bit long

Meant to say as well, in terms of reading, spelling etc we have always done this every school night and reading has always been something that happens lots. So wonder if that he practices this so much wether that is why he is managing this.

[Peachy]

EVERY child has a right to the support they need to maxmise their potential, dyslexia is categorically NOT wasting school time!.

Our LEA now tests for dyslexia in year 2, ds2 is 7 in january. But the reading / writing is only part of dyslexia- organisational skills for example, and memory are often affected. little things like ds2 is quite compentent at dressing yet always manages to get at least two garments on back to front each day! he's also rpetty clumsy, so I want to make sure they check for dyspraxia as well. Both are thought to be on the same genetic spectruma s the ASD the others have anyway.

NSIST on a proper test- the eatrlier dyslexic kids get help the better. there's a lady on my Uni course, writen off all her life; she's in her mid forties and flyingt hrough a degree with specialist dyslexia help now! huge potential!

[GodzillasBumcheek]

If anyone is reeeeeeally patient could you give me some advice too here if you could, please ?

I am actually going to bed now, but have been hoping for some advice on how to get going! Thanks.

[MamaMaiasaura]

you are so right peachy. I just did a search on the site here and found I am not alone with a slow writer! It has been mentioned on other threads that dysgraphia can affect this.

What frustrates me is that ds is obviously struggling and they are so reluctant to label him as they said it wont make a difference in terms of their interventions but i thought if he is given a clear diagnosis this would enable help in areas of education as he goes through the system.

Argghh. Just feel so fobbed off. Have meeting on Monday with ds's teacher, the Senoc wants to attend too. Will bring up the dysgraphia then. DP thinks we should look at getting him independently assessed too.

[Peachy]

It DOS make a difference in interventions- doesn't sound like he needs a statemnt or anything, but for example at Uni level, kids with dyslexia get extra exam time, provided with a PC for free and an extra book grant.

[MamaMaiasaura]

meeting with school today. Ds seems happier already. He is sitting on his own (his choice) for individual work. Managed a good amount of writing and they were pleased with him. I researched dysgraphia and mentioned it to the SENco but think it is going to be a case of waiting and seeing how he manages with the plan in place of lots of encouragement and goal setting.

[Magicmayhem]

Hi Awen, how is it going...just wondered does it hurt you son to write, and does he have a good pencil grip? How are his organisation skills, and can he follow a list of instructions?