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Here you'll find advice from parents and teachers on special needs education.

Original poster

Dd has been 'tested' at school today

37 replies

Frouby · 30/11/2018 20:42

And I have no idea what she has been tested for.

She is 14. On target for 7/8 in most subjects at GCSE. Is very good at maths and french. Already consistently working at level 7/8. Really enjoys school. Good social life, fits in if not one of the most popular.

Always done well at school, but a reoccurring issue has been getting her ideas onto paper, especially in essay based subjects. English is her weakest subject. She has never enjoyed reading.

I suspect now they are doing a lot of timed assessments it's come to a head that she can't write quickly enough. Her comprehension is good, her handwriting is beautiful, she is left handed. She is very good at art. She didn't do it at GCSE tho, but her art teacher very much wanted her to.

She does get anxious before assessments. She has been told today that she will get extra time and a reader during exams. She was asked to read out words and sounds. Only her and one other pupil was tested.

I had no idea they had any concerns or that they were testing for anything. She has more or less been told she has additional needs, with no warning and we have had no time to discuss or prepare for this, and have a 14 year olds account of what happened. I am absolutely furious with school, but also pretty upset that she may have had issues all way through school which have only just been picked up on. Poor bugger must have worked so hard to keep up.

Just so I am prepared for next week does this sound like dyslexia?

OP posts:
daisybank2 · 02/12/2018 18:29

Thank your lucky stars that the school assessed her - my dd was only diagnosed with dyslexia in Year 12, when she changed to a new school. My dd sounds identical to your dd - very high IQ, was on track for 7s & 8s, 9s, but couldn't write quick enough and couldn't get her ideas down on paper, so did not achieve them. Also very good at Art. Her school always told us she didn't write enough, but never once suggested there could be an issue - just that she was lazy.
Not ideal that they didn't contact you first, but really if you handle this well, and downplay it, then she'll get over it pretty quickly. The plus of this diagnosis, no matter how it was delivered, massively outweighs any minuses. Dyslexia is a learning disability, but as she's been working crazy hard to get where she is, she'll probably see it as a relief, as there's a reason now why she has had to work so much harder than everyone else and finds writing so difficult. There is no stigma these days, our dd has never been happier since her dyslexia diagnosis (low processing, slow writing and low working memory). If only our she had had extra time for her GCSEs, but we now know she'll get it for her A levels now, and Uni.
Your dd would have been compensating for her whole education so far, and sooner or later that compensation will run out of steam without the extra time and she will start to noticeably struggle.

ladyorangemarmalade · 02/12/2018 11:46

There is no specific test that can be used to diagnose dyslexia.
During a dyslexia assessment the assessor would need to administer a bank of tests - the process usually takes at least 2 hours - was this the case with your dd?

Original poster
Frouby · 01/12/2018 20:29

That is what I am thinking for dd. She is hoping to do A Levels and then Uni, so would benefit from it anyway so can't see any need to wait.

Apparently one of her classmates has ine provided by school so will wait for the diagnosis to come through then ask school.

OP posts:
IAmACatFlap · 01/12/2018 20:06

Yes he does. We have sent him on a touch typing course. It is very helpful Flowers

Original poster
Frouby · 01/12/2018 19:14

Thank you Flowers. Dd will be fine I know in time. It's just a bit sudden and I am upset it hasn't been picked up on. And feel guilty. She has always had a problem with 'speed' in exams. I feel I should have picked up on it before, but looking online she doesn't meet many of the markers. Just slow in tests and doesn't read for pleasure. And is above average in intelligence. So I never thought it could be dyslexia.

Hopefully, if it is dyslexic she will get some support and start improving her essay skills in time for GCSEs next year.

Does your boy use a laptop? Does it make a difference? Am considering one for Christmas for her.

OP posts:
IAmACatFlap · 01/12/2018 19:05

Sorry it just hit a nerve (exhaustion I think). Wish you the best of luck

Original poster
Frouby · 01/12/2018 18:48

Which is why my 'wrong' was in commas. Because I am an adult and know that a learning difference isnt something wrong, it's something different.

At 14 though it will be 'wrong' to dd. And she will learn in time that it isn't 'wrong'. But been told that you will get extra time and a reader for exams marks you out as different and therefore in a 14 year olds mind, wrong. Especially when you have no warning, no discussion or support from your parents and not even a chance to think about what the test might mean.

I understand and sympathise with you, but having a pop at someone else who is probably going through the same situation and nitpicking my posts to find implied wrongs isn't helping. I posted this thread to get help and support, not criticism for feeling upset for dd.

It doesn't matter what you call it or how you refer to it, dyslexia is an issue, it is a difference and it will impact on dd. It doesn't mean she is stupid, it does mean her life will be more difficult because of this. It has been already, we just didn't have a name for it.

OP posts:
IAmACatFlap · 01/12/2018 18:15

I certainly do not think of dyslexia as having “something wrong”. it is a learning difference. That is exactly the type of sentiment I fight against all the time for my child.

I agree though they should have told you. However that said they are doing the testing for the right reasons so approach it in that way. They are trying to help (although may not have thought it through)

Original poster
Frouby · 01/12/2018 17:41

I didnt mean that dyslexia makes you stupid, I meant that she isn't stupid so knows what the tests and extra time and support mean, ie learning disability. Which means there is something 'wrong' with her. Which is a shock at 14 and she deserved to have my support for that.

DH is dyslexic. I have a niece and nephew with recently diagnosed autism and ADHD. My dsis is dyslexic. I certainly understand what a learning difficulty or difference or disability is. As does DD. She is (as I said in my OP) bright, intelligent, and works bloody hard.

I just didn't realise how hard she has been working to mask this.

OP posts:
IAmACatFlap · 01/12/2018 16:46

“But she is far from stupid and knows it probably means dyslexia and that it is classed as a learning disability.”

My child was genius level on certain aspects of his WISC IV test- but has dyslexia. I hope you aren’t thinking everyone with Spld is of lower intelligence?

Original poster
Frouby · 01/12/2018 15:50

I am not cross about the additonal testing Lady or about the results whatever they are. I am cross that they didn't speak to me or dd before, or send a letter or speak to me after rather than dd.

The test she did (after googling this morning) is for dyslexia which is a pretty big thing. Certainly for a 14 year old to try and process on her own. I have obviously downplayed it to dd, told her the extra time is a good thing and will take a lot of pressure off and how useful a reader will be.

But she is far from stupid and knows it probably means dyslexia and that it is classed as a learning disability. That's pretty hard to handle at the best of times especially at school for the rest of the day without speaking to your mum.

So yes I am cross with school.

OP posts:
ladyorangemarmalade · 01/12/2018 15:18

Sounds like they were assessing for GCSE exam access arrangements and that she has qualified for a reader and extra time. They should really have told you, but I wouldn't be cross - the access arrangements should really help her.