Dyslexia?

[emd4]

Hi,
Was wondering about anyone's experience of dyslexia. I think my ds may be dyslexic. At what age will they diagnose dyslexia? And does it have to be done through the school? He is 7 next month, and can only write his name and even that isn't always right, his reading is very behind, he can sound out some letters but not recognise them all and really struggles to join them together using phonics. So reading even 2/3 letter words is a struggle and he often can't do it. Does this sound like it could be dyslexia.
I was wondering if it was worth asking his paed about it when we see her in a couple of weeks.
His school are going to be applying for a statement for him soon, but it seems to take ages to do anything, and I find doing things through the hospital much quicker. The ed psyc has seen him once to approve schools decision to apply for assessment for a statement, but she was only with him for 30 mins and was more focused on his behavioural issues. And I know it could be months before one sees him again and dont know even if they would asses for dyslexia then.
What I would like to be able to do is get his paed to asses him or a referral from her to see someone who would, is this possible?
And I figure it would only help towards the statement anyway. I think I'm most fed up with not knowing why he is struggling so much academically in school because he seems fairly bright, and a lot of the approaches have been placed on behaviour and sensory issues, when he still can't read some of the letters in the alphabet. I feel like the cause is being put to his ADHD and traits from Aspergers behaviour rather than something that is actually causing him problems learning. Hope that makes sense.

TIA

X x x

[Badvoc]

Check out the tinsley house support thread x

[MadameSin]

My son was dx ADHD aged 7 paediatrician. An EP dx dyslexia about 6 months later. It's an umbrella term used to describe learning difficulties .. mainly around literacy, but can affect all aspects of learning including maths. My son's difficulties with learning stem from him not 'being in the room' so to speak, when the foundation learning was going on. I'd go via your GP/paed as shouldn't take so long.