Dyslexia advice please!

[DyslexiaHelpPlease]

NC as I’m going to put a lot of outing details...

DS is 8 and I am totally convinced he’s dyslexic. He’s really bright, greater depth in everything apart from spelling where he is below expected. I wanted to get him assessed in the summer but DH vetoed it as he wanted to wait and see for longer. We compromised on getting a tutor to see if some targeted help would make a difference. Today she turned round and said we had to get him assessed as she is 95% sure he is dyslexic.

DH still doesn’t want to do it, as he doesn’t see the point. He reckons as there’s no magic bullet other than “trying harder” the label will only serve him badly.

So MNetters, can I have some examples of practical changes that happened as a result of a diagnosis that I can use to help persuade him that we need to go down this route. I feel we’re failing DS at the moment and with time the gap is going to get bigger and bigger.

I was diagnosed at 17, I tried to cover up the fact I struggled but eventually I just couldn't write fast enough to even finish exam papers etc. I honestly believe the earlier you can get a diagnosis the better.
Schools tend to be dismissive I'v found (with my DC) if you bring up dyslexia. My DC school only took me seriously when I said I was dyslexic myself. I'd approach them and say your DC has a tutor who has suggested he's dyslexic so could you please consider getting the ball rolling for a diagnosis.

To answer a pp I went to an Ed psych who conducted a whole range of tests inc handwriting, speech, time management etc. They then wrote a report and diagnosed.

If you can see an ed psych see onwe they may do the test. (that what happened for me at sch and college)

Doodlespell has been useful for our family.

I would certainly get the assessment, it’s clarifying in many ways. I am with the person who posted to say it’s not a gift, it can certainly be overcome and like any hard thing that brings its own reward but it is not a bonus.

I don,t know if you can still get it, but Attack really helped. iT is great but to help my spelling i really need to write.

@TheRubyRedshoes - the patoss website is a good place to start - www.patoss-dyslexia.org/Tutor-Index-Landing - then speak to local assessors about what the schools in your area need - unless the school can advise. I believe all assessors need to be on this register for the report to really 'count'

A dyslexia diagnosis will help your child as there are therapies that can help and they will get extra time in all tests and exams. Sometimes inky a coloured overlay is required to see big improvements.
Dyslexia is not a measure of intelligence. People with a low IQ, average IQ and high IQ all suffer with dyslexia, it’s just that the ones with a higher IQ will learn to live with it better and will hide it better with coping mechanisms. There is no stigma in education because educationalists know all this... so you should get the test. If you can afford it then get it done yourself as it costs about £250 and most schools can only afford to get the students doing the worst academically tested, or the ones with the most pushy parents... sad but true. (I’m a primary sch. Teacher) good luck - you won’t regret getting a diagnosis and support for your child, the earlier the better, age 8 is the earliest they will do the screening test.

P.S.... Schools can’t test themselves. It is expensive and so SENDCos don’t like to spend money on it. You have to really push for it or pay yourself.

He needs to be assessed because if he is dyslexic then he will need support to develop strategies to learn with dyslexic thinking. Trying harder is not a strategy that works for a dyslexic child who is probably already trying harder than their peers

Yep. Diagnosed in my 40s after nearly driving myself to a breakdown several times attempting to ‘just try harder‘ doing work related qualifications.

I then tried smarter from a position of knowledge and cruised to a Masters distinction with a fraction of the effort it took to fail o levels.