How can I teach my SN child to read and write?

Thanks Cat. If we go to appeal I will feel more confident to state my views! I am appalled by the lack of support, and have said so bluntly but politely in my dealings with the LEA. Ds is not really ready for reading yet - he is at a very early stage! It is all the prereading things like learning letters, identifying sounds, recognising rhyming words, that weve been working informally at home. (I'm not a teacher so forgive if I use the wrong words) We have 2 or 3 'spellings' a week to learn and obviously Ds cannot do this. We play with the words, (usually I only use 2 if there are 3), notice the shape/ no of letters/ what it starts with, make up silly ditties/ letter match with magnetic letters make letter cookies, and draw! whatever gets him involved.
I want to learn how to help him! Are there any course/ books to help parents of SN ( perhaps for severe dyslexia sufferers)support their kids? Much of what Ive found far is too advanced. Oh I so hope he gets a place at SN school!

I think the underlying problem is the lack of a concise diagnosis! The statementing process, although slow has helped to highlight DS lack of progress and MLD. The SW did go to see the HT who said Ds needs were being met !! ( He was having nightly nightmares of a very lucid type at the time!) The other problem is that inclusion only works if everyone (children and staff) are properly supported! I suspect the policy of inclusion actually prevents staff from suggesting SN school! The school Ds attends has a better reputation locally than most. No he has had no targeted help reading or writting this year, though he did get a little last year.

Thanks Cat. I have spoken and written to the senco,(and even the head teacher) but I think her hands are tied by a crippling budget cut. Ds has not had his IEP targets for maths or reading changed for 5 terms due to lack of progress. We are about to request a SN school for his statement. Fingers crossed!!

Thanks Ellis, I agree enjoyment and happy social interaction are more important skills than learning to read! Special schools are better geared for children who learn less easily but as parents with an LEA that is in favour of (poorly supported) inclusion we can only keep asking!!. We are wondering about a split placement , as the LEA may support that! Frances I got the Dancing Bear book and have started this very slowly, 5 minutes a day. It is just so sad ( and infuriating!) that school cant do it, 5 minutes a day is hardly a lot to ask!

Thanks Colditz and Francis

Thanks Frances, we have just spent happy hour (yes a whole hour!)on starfall letter matching!! american pronuciation but right sense of humour! We use magnetic and foam letters and he can match well, although he doesnt understand orientation yet. We draw in the sand, bubble bath and dirt and he loves cornflour! Pencils and sitting formally bring him out in a cold sweat!!I,ve downloaded the jolly phonics, and may get the dvd thanks. I haven't googled dyslexia since he doesn't have that diagnosis (yet?)but thats a good idea. Number writting, drawing are all skills he struggles with. Have been working on shape copying ( magnetix, bricks magnetic shapes cbeebies smartinies) Hearing test was normal last week.Ds computor mouse skills only just controlled enough to drag and click. Thanks for your help.