Question about reading and spelling age

[user1479885939]

Hello, I wonder if anyone can shed light on this please, if you have a minute.

Yesterday I was given my son's reading and spelling ages and I'm not sure what system they use but the numbers were really odd.

He is 9 and 5 months and his reading age is 11.8 (I think - it was 11. something) which seems within range, but his spelling is apparently over 15 yrs.

He has a recent diagnosis of autism, which I'd suspected since he was a baby, but regardless I can't work out why such an anomaly - I'd have thought reading age would be higher than spelling, for some reason.

Also should I be doing, or asking the school to do anything more with him - I mean, challenging him more or something - he seems fine and I don't want to rock the boat but then I hear about children with unusual needs and parents asking schools to do more, and I've no idea what I ought to be doing, if anything! I don't want to let him down.

Thanks ever so much if you got this far.

[Blueisnotforglue]

DDs spelling age was above her spelling age. It's not that unusual. Some kids are just really good at spelling.

[Blueisnotforglue]

Above her reading age

[user1479885939]

Oh that's good to hear - thank you!

[JerryFerry]

It sounds fine, some kids have v good sequential memory which is helpful with spelling.
My 10yo was the other way round, 16y reading and 13y spelling
So long as they're at or above expectations then relax and enjoy!

[user1479885939]

The thing is I didn't think he was very good at it - he often makes mistakes on his weekly test - so it was a bit of a surprise.

I wonder if they have got it wrong.

[PrincessHairyMclary]

I would just make sure he had access to plenty of stimulating reading material, you may find it better to branch into classics as they use such different language to modern day texts than moving into teen fiction as he is unlikely to be emotionally ready for them.

[user1479885939]

Thanks JerryFerry, that's reassuring. Does your child's school give them extra work and so on? Ours sent out a letter saying they are only allowed to do 'year five' work and not go beyond that. They just study it 'in extra depth' or something, once they have grasped it all.

I don't understand the new system. She said he is working at expected levels but I've no idea what that means in real terms.

[user1479885939]

Hi PrincessHairyMclary

That's a good idea - you are right, he wouldn't want to read teenage stuff yet...though I think he likes the Harry Potter books and so on.

[JerryFerry]

Hi OP, she's in what they call extension learning so yes, really looking out for her (and other kids like her)
I wouldn't worry too much though because there's lots you can do to facilitate their learning- library, clubs, digital programs (esp if they're into coding), art & music etc

[user789653241]

My ds' reading age was quite high when he had a test in reception. I don't think he has done spelling age test but assume it must be quite high, since he can spell pretty much anything. My ds has asd traits and quite hyperlexic.
He loves coding. Also started learning piano recently, and learned to read sheet music quite easily.

[user1479885939]

Thank you both. I'm thinking about him doing an instrument as he recently made a huge minecraft noteblock construction which played a song - 277 blocks - with harmonies and everything. I had no idea he was doing it until he showed me, with all the copious diagrams and notes he had made.

So that might be a good thing for him to do, and I know they do coding at school but I would have no idea how to get him doing it at home.

I feel a bit out of my depth tbh.
School hasn't said anything about extension learning or similar, though he is quite good at maths as well (which he loves). Perhaps he isn't ready for that yet. I hope they will keep an eye on him though.

Thanks again for all the reassurance and replies, it has really helped to reassure me.

[user789653241]

These sites are very good. All free. There are lots of other sites as well.

khanacademy

codemonster

codeorg

codeacademy

[user789653241]

Forgot big one. scratch
I think a lot school use this site to introduce coding. Free as well.

[user789653241]

Oh, another thing maybe good is MFL. He is learning 2 languages at the moment.

duolingo
memrise

[user1479885939]

Oh wow. Thanks so much. I will look at all of those! : )

I'm glad I posted. You have all been so helpful.

[FlyingFergusFan]

I have no idea if this is the case for your son, but you might want to look into 'twice exceptional' (2e).

Some children are gifted and at the same time not NT (neurotypical) in some way or other. You say your son has a recent autism diagnosis. It could be that his autism has masked his abilities - having to struggle with things other people take for granted, he may be performing academically at 'expected' but would be capable of much more. At the same time his abilities may have masked his autism (until recently) - him developing coping mechanisms and workarounds so that his difficulties were overlooked.

Just something to perhaps look into.

[user1479885939]

That's really interesting and yes it sounds plausible for ds.

Thank you

I will google it. I should probably say that I was quite like him when I was a child, and suspect I am also on the spectrum, and would hate his life to go the way mine has because of the impact of my social difficulties on everything I was good at.

So I am very interested to read about any interventions that can be made for him. I will go and read up now.

Thanks again.