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Original poster

Potential dyslexia advice?

19 replies

Validpoint · 15/08/2023 14:48

My DD (5.5) is going into Y1 in Sept. When she was in Reception she learned all the graphemes, tricky words, digraphs and so on and at the last parents evening end of March her teacher said she was ahead of expectations with her reading, which at the time it meant she was reading confidently phase 3 books from the Big Cat phonics series (if that makes sense - they are doing Little Wandle).

We were pleased with that and I had no worries at the time. I should mention there is a strong genetic link to dyslexia from her father's side, so perhaps I'm oversensitive when it comes to learning to read.

After the Easter break I don't feel like there has been much progress with her reading, she did learn a few more words but she very much sounds out everything, even simple cvc words like 'jug'.
I didn't put much pressure on her in the summer break but I've taken the books out again these last few days and my anxiety is going through the roof. This morning we were looking at the word 'this' and despite seeing and reading it many times before she just didn't recognise it...she tried sounding it out but came with a completely different word : first she went 'ch-i-t' then she went 'sh-i-s' finally she realised is 'th-i-s'. This happens a lot and it did happen in her summer term when she was still at school. Also adding sounds that are not there or missing sounds.

Another thing she does is trying to guess words and many times they are wrong, she basically looks at the pictures and tries to guess the writing. I tried to cover the pics but she doesn't like it.

I did bring up these issues with her teacher a few months ago but she said it's normal, it's ok. I do feel like she has regressed in her reading after the first 2 terms and from reading other threads on MN, it's not completely unusual for a bright dyslexic child to be a very good reader until sentences and words become more complex.

Can anyone relate to this and what can I do to support her more! She doesn't enjoy reading either 😕.

OP posts:
Jackydaytona · 15/08/2023 15:00

www.engagingeyes.co.uk

Original poster
Validpoint · 15/08/2023 15:06

Jackydaytona · 15/08/2023 15:00

www.engagingeyes.co.uk

Interesting, have you used it and does it really work?

OP posts:
Jackydaytona · 15/08/2023 15:10

I know the person who developed it

My son is severely dyslexic

I know far more than I ever wanted to about dyslexia tbh

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

5 year olds General education Primary education SEN
Jackydaytona · 15/08/2023 15:11

I have no link to this website, btw!

I just know it works

Hope it helps

EdithStourton · 15/08/2023 15:20

All I can say is, don't panic. I have worked with dyslexics and have an adult DC who is very dyslexic (and earning well a few years out of uni).

Wait till term starts. See what happens. If her reading picks up again next term, fine, just keep an eye. If not, chat to her teacher.

IME, the most obvious clue for dyslexia is when a child gives fabulous verbal answers but whose written work and reading are behind the expectations for her age. We use a program called Toe by Toe where I work, and IME it pulls a child's reading up by over a year in terms of attainment over the course of a couple of months. This feeds through into massive improvements in spelling and writing. Then quite often they start to read for pleasure and once they do that, the issues diminish massively even if they don't go away.

Toe by Toe is a book you can buy online and work through. It needs jazzing up with stickers and praise, because it can be quite a slog, but it really does work.

Original poster
Validpoint · 15/08/2023 15:23

EdithStourton · 15/08/2023 15:20

All I can say is, don't panic. I have worked with dyslexics and have an adult DC who is very dyslexic (and earning well a few years out of uni).

Wait till term starts. See what happens. If her reading picks up again next term, fine, just keep an eye. If not, chat to her teacher.

IME, the most obvious clue for dyslexia is when a child gives fabulous verbal answers but whose written work and reading are behind the expectations for her age. We use a program called Toe by Toe where I work, and IME it pulls a child's reading up by over a year in terms of attainment over the course of a couple of months. This feeds through into massive improvements in spelling and writing. Then quite often they start to read for pleasure and once they do that, the issues diminish massively even if they don't go away.

Toe by Toe is a book you can buy online and work through. It needs jazzing up with stickers and praise, because it can be quite a slog, but it really does work.

Thank you so much for this. I'll try it out definitely.

OP posts:
Original poster
Validpoint · 15/08/2023 15:28

Jackydaytona · 15/08/2023 15:11

I have no link to this website, btw!

I just know it works

Hope it helps

Thank you, I'll definitely try it. I think I have heard of it before but then couldn't remember the name.

OP posts:
Summerwhereareyou · 15/08/2023 15:39

Op I don't know what's issue with my dd.

As pp said its great to get all the this lined up but please don't panic yet.
My incredible reader first dc also used to forget over the holidays.
However dc 2 really regressed.

What helped us was first 100 high frequency flash cards. Both dc loved this because it's fast paced and more like a fun challenges than plodding slowly through long sentences.

Once they have these words it's amazing.

  1. we went back to basics with Peter and Jane books as advised on here. Dc 2 did not get phonics and It was a barrier to her reading.

  2. she got a real boost by being able to read a book whole Peter and Jane books and did the first 6 books.

  3. we joiner reading chest to keep going with appropriate level books more frequently than the school could change for us.

It took 6 months, the first 3 were the hardest then the cogs really got going and she was "there".

Jackydaytona · 15/08/2023 16:00

Toe by toe is very outdated

If you're going to use a workbook use apples and pears

Original poster
Validpoint · 15/08/2023 18:28

Summerwhereareyou · 15/08/2023 15:39

Op I don't know what's issue with my dd.

As pp said its great to get all the this lined up but please don't panic yet.
My incredible reader first dc also used to forget over the holidays.
However dc 2 really regressed.

What helped us was first 100 high frequency flash cards. Both dc loved this because it's fast paced and more like a fun challenges than plodding slowly through long sentences.

Once they have these words it's amazing.

  1. we went back to basics with Peter and Jane books as advised on here. Dc 2 did not get phonics and It was a barrier to her reading.

  2. she got a real boost by being able to read a book whole Peter and Jane books and did the first 6 books.

  3. we joiner reading chest to keep going with appropriate level books more frequently than the school could change for us.

It took 6 months, the first 3 were the hardest then the cogs really got going and she was "there".

That's you so much, I'll take your advice. Will get on the Peter and Jane books, already ordered them:)

I'll look into the Reading chest too.

OP posts:
EdithStourton · 15/08/2023 20:38

Jackydaytona · 15/08/2023 16:00

Toe by toe is very outdated

If you're going to use a workbook use apples and pears

Well, state school, no money, use what we have.
Outdated or not, it works!

Amortentia · 15/08/2023 20:49

I’m dyslexic, I’m also an academic and I know many others who are too, so it doesn’t necessarily mean a poor educational outcome. Just the need for appropriate support. I was also an advanced reader but I cannot spell because I can’t visualise words, it’s very frustrating.

Dyslexics don’t decode words in the same way as non-dyslexics, we read in context so a good vocabulary and great general knowledge is essential. Audio books are key to helping expand vocabulary and understanding how stories are structured, plus reading words on a page and writing is exhausting. If you push to hard you can easily put your Dd of reading.

I’m ancient and things have improved so much so I’d encourage you to look at the current approach to dyslexia regardless of not having a diagnosis as it helps non-dyslexics with reading too. Technology has improved so much and has been key to helping me, I couldn’t work without it. So I’d look out for age appropriate software and make sure it is available to your Dd when at school.

Original poster
Validpoint · 16/08/2023 04:31

Amortentia · 15/08/2023 20:49

I’m dyslexic, I’m also an academic and I know many others who are too, so it doesn’t necessarily mean a poor educational outcome. Just the need for appropriate support. I was also an advanced reader but I cannot spell because I can’t visualise words, it’s very frustrating.

Dyslexics don’t decode words in the same way as non-dyslexics, we read in context so a good vocabulary and great general knowledge is essential. Audio books are key to helping expand vocabulary and understanding how stories are structured, plus reading words on a page and writing is exhausting. If you push to hard you can easily put your Dd of reading.

I’m ancient and things have improved so much so I’d encourage you to look at the current approach to dyslexia regardless of not having a diagnosis as it helps non-dyslexics with reading too. Technology has improved so much and has been key to helping me, I couldn’t work without it. So I’d look out for age appropriate software and make sure it is available to your Dd when at school.

Thank you so much, this is very encouraging. I know her dad really struggled at school so I don't want her to have the same experience.

OP posts:
3rdtimemumma · 16/08/2023 04:41

Seriously, she's 5.5. She's not read for a while and is probably picking up on your stress. Just let her enjoy reading. Loads of kids regress in summer term (more outside play, less reading). She'll get there. I say this as a parent of a child with dyslexia. What you're describing, I wouldn't be worried about at all (similar to my non-dyslexic child).

patterpittercake · 16/08/2023 07:04

She's still young. My eldest wasn't an early reader and it was a struggle until she was 8 when it suddenly clicked. And now she loves reading. Looking back I worries too much and she picked up on it - it then impacted her confidence and put her off reading generally. I was much more relaxed with my DS and therefore he had more confidence just to give things a go.

Just keep doing it for pleasure during the holidays. Read picture books where she can memorise the text - this will help with confidence. Make basic flash cards. But don't push it too much.

Diddykong · 16/08/2023 07:09

I'd say you're just seeing the effects of having a break. It'll probably pick up in a week or so. The high frequency flash cards were key for my dd to speed up her reading.

Original poster
Validpoint · 16/08/2023 07:33

3rdtimemumma · 16/08/2023 04:41

Seriously, she's 5.5. She's not read for a while and is probably picking up on your stress. Just let her enjoy reading. Loads of kids regress in summer term (more outside play, less reading). She'll get there. I say this as a parent of a child with dyslexia. What you're describing, I wouldn't be worried about at all (similar to my non-dyslexic child).

Thank you, that's very reassuring.

OP posts:
Original poster
Validpoint · 16/08/2023 07:33

Diddykong · 16/08/2023 07:09

I'd say you're just seeing the effects of having a break. It'll probably pick up in a week or so. The high frequency flash cards were key for my dd to speed up her reading.

I'll get on the cards definitely.

OP posts:
Original poster
Validpoint · 16/08/2023 07:36

patterpittercake · 16/08/2023 07:04

She's still young. My eldest wasn't an early reader and it was a struggle until she was 8 when it suddenly clicked. And now she loves reading. Looking back I worries too much and she picked up on it - it then impacted her confidence and put her off reading generally. I was much more relaxed with my DS and therefore he had more confidence just to give things a go.

Just keep doing it for pleasure during the holidays. Read picture books where she can memorise the text - this will help with confidence. Make basic flash cards. But don't push it too much.

I'm glad to hear that. I know she'll get there eventually but I can't help worrying especially with dyslexia history in DH's family. I know schools are not always very quick on recognising it.

OP posts:
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