Dd2 is a poor speller. Dyslexia or just a poor speller?

She sounds like my dd2 who is mildly dyslexic.

We paid for a private screening (£50) school are accepting that and give her support such as extra time for class tests, access to various types of software, additional literacy course etc

As MrMouse said, we've been told there's not much that can be done in the way of extra time for formal exams etc We can also afford a private diagnosis if it's needed in the future (I think it might be useful at University level?)

tbh, the main benefit for us has been the boost to dd's confidence. She now knows that she's not stupid, it's not her fault and there are strategies she can put into place to cope. She's only Yr 8 and at the moment it looks like she probably won't take a language at GCSE because she would struggle too much and it affects her anxiety/self esteem.

Hi @Neim that's fine and largely I agree with you. The schools are sympathetic but their hands are tied. Gone are the days when they pushed for additional resources and formal assessments for children with dyslexia.
Our experience is that the teachers are supportive but don't know where to start. If another SENCo sends us a link to Nessy..
We have the money to self fund should we need it but it worries me that other DC are missing out on some strategies that could really help.

@FantasticMrMouse perhaps I should have said dyslexia screening rather than dyslexia test. This will provide an indication as to whether it is worth pursuing a full test from an educational psychologist.

Additionally I wasn’t stating the school would definitely provide help in the form learning support but they would possibly be able to point the OP in the right direction in finding some strategies for her DD whether that be the learning support department themselves or looking elsewhere such as dyslexia support groups/websites.

I do agree with you that schools provide very little support when it is not required and unless it will be useful for the OPs DDs A levels/further education a full assessment may be unnecessary.

I should have been more clear in what I said before.

Just to add to above, the assessments done in schools are pretty basic. Only an Ed Pysch or trained dyslexic assessor can really give a response either way.

You could pay for an assessment but in all likelihood, nothing will change at school. Schools don't have any resources to help with dyslexia beyond basic arrangements. There is certain no help with learning strategies for spellings! I've also been told it doesn't count for anything in exams, e.g. no leeway is given for bad spelling if dyslexic. This is a change in recent years apparently. Given this, unless she is doing essay based A levels like English, I would not pursue it esp if you'd need to go privately for assessment (up to £700).

You could always ask the school/college/6th form whether they would be able to do a dyslexia test. I’m not saying she is/isn’t dyslexic but it would give a definite answer and maybe point you both in the right direction for help to improve her spelling.

Look at dyspraxia too. There is overlap.

DD1 - dyspraxia.

• disorganised, clumsy, poor handwriting

• sensitivity to taste & textures, and some other stuff too

Are there other signs like not enjoying reading, slow reader, found it hard to grasp time tables? My niece is super bright but her grades were average. Didn't add up. Turns out she has mild dyslexia.

What's her pronunciation like?

Does she say 'prehaps' perhaps maybe?

Those 3 examples looks to me more like saying it wrong and thus spelling it wrong too.

(My DD2 is a poor speller, she has poor clarity of speech and can't always hear all the syllables in a word if she's saying it to herself.)

Maybe ask the school? I would guess that this is not unusual. I couldn't spell at all until I got to uni. I now write for a living and can definitely spell!