Moving to Canada and DD just diagnosed as dyslexic

[Makemeachannelofyourpeas]

Hi, we are due to move to Ottawa in the summer with DH's work. Our DD (8, Yr3) has just been diagnosed with moderate dyslexia (average reading and maths, very good verbal skills and excellent processing, but low writing/spelling and working memory scores). DH's work pay for private schooling as state education is bilingual, but we are finding it tricky finding private schools who support dyslexic students.

I'm really concerned that if we don't get this right we risk her getting very discouraged by education (her current school are great, emphasising her strengths and helping her with the things she finds harder).

I realise this is a fairly niche question so am braced for no responses, but if anyone has any advice or experience to offer on schools in Ottawa or Canada in general it will be very gratefully received!

heritage academy in Ottawa is specifically for students with dyslexia, so they tailor the lessons so that the children can learn best using a multi sensory approach

Thank you, sleep, I hadn't heard of them, will look them up! Really appreciate your response.

not a problem, best of luck with your move x

How can any school, private or otherwise, say they do not support dyslexic students? That is disability discrimination - I'm sure Canada has some discrimination laws too!

@Tombakersscarf I think the OP means that they don't state that they have specific provisions for dyslexic students outlined on their website, rather than they wouldn't support her

I think the state schools support dyslexia (but kids are taught in both French and English) but so far the responses from private schools (teaching only in English) haven't been too encouraging. DD's current school feel there's no need for special schooling with the right support but I'm currently not confident that the mainstream private schools will offer that.

Why not bi lingual, shes perfect age to learn fast. Don't write it off.
Dd moved to bi lingual school at the begining of year 4 and took off with a second language.
Good luck with the move, and hope you find a good fit in school.

Thank you, Troels, I will be open minded. I guess I thought that dyslexia is hard enough without having to learn say history in a different language! But as you say perhaps it'll be fine.

I teach. Dyslexia really is so common it's rare for me to have a class without at least a couple of dyslexic students in it. Large class sizes make support harder but I'm guessing in the private sector you'll have smaller classes automatically. There are also tutors who specialise in dyslexia.

(I know none of that is specific to Canada but just thinking you might be over-worrying a little)

Ha, thank you, Tombakerscarf, you are absolutely right! The diagnosis is very new to us and that plus the stress of moving has blown it rather more out of proportion than it should be. All your kind comments are calming me down, thank you!

We are in a private school over the border OP so can't answer for Canada but the smaller class sizes in our private schools have meant additional support needs are slotted in pretty easily.
I think you would only have problems with highly selective schools that she probably wouldn't be able to pass the entrance exam for anyway.