Should I voice concerns that I think DS may be dyslexic

[WashingBasketMonster]

DS is very bright, his teachers and all the adults he interacts with are impressed by the level of conversation he can hold, however at parents evening the teacher raised concerns that his reading, writing and spelling are way below average (DS is about a year behind). He is 6.

I have noticed that he tends to write backwards, but I thought that happens with children of this age. But having looked into it further he appears to have a few more 'symptoms'.

His teacher has informed us of the problem (to which we are doing tasks to improve these issues) but surely she would have made a suggestion if she thought it too?

Finally, DS has a medical condition which means he has had some time off school (has a teacher in hospital to ensure he doesn't miss too much) so he has been struggling to cope with his medical issues. I don't want to raise this on top of everything else unless I'm sure.

So any parents with dyslexic children who could give me any tips or info and should I raise this with his teacher - or leave it to correct itself?

He may well be dyslexic - but school won't do anything different with him whether he has dyslexia, or whether he's behind with his reading / writing for some other reason.

The professionals can't even agree on the defn of dyslexia, normally it just means that a child is behind with their reading / writing for no other reason.

What you need to start to do now is work out why he is behind.

• Is he being taught phonics well?
• Does he have a vision problem?
• Does he have a hearing problem?
• Does he have a working memory problem?

-?????

A diagnois of dyslexia is worthless. It just says he is struggling with reading / writing - which you already know.

Dyslexia does not correct itself, but early diagnosis can make a huge difference to him as he will be able to access a lot of help.

What other symptoms does he have?

Have a word with is teacher and find out about getting him assessed.

MmeLindt - what extra help will he be able to access???????

I have often thought this about my DS who is now 9. He is still way behind especially with his writing although his reading is a bit better he is still only doing 3 letter spellings.
I did mention it to the school but they have not mentioned it since and he has changed teachers twice since then. I am concerned he is going to really struggle at upper school but maybe it is simply because I have actually been a crap mum.

I think they get extra time in exams for instance if they have dyslexia.

Sorry, Indigo. Perhaps my advice is out of date now. A friend of mine is dyslexic and had a lot of help in school. It was not diagnosed until his mother pushed for it (she is a school teacher).

He was provided with a computer (this was later in his schooling) and there were other measures. Not sure what they were, it was a while ago. Perhaps things are different now.

Fruit - they will get extra time in exams if in secondary school they are referred to an ed psych who recommends they get extra time. They neither need a dx of dyslexia - nor will a dx of dsylexia in primary school count.

If his problem is with spelling, and having longer won't improve his spelling, then he probably won't qualify for extra time.

Your child's spelling problems are not because you are a crap Mum.

I only realised when discussing how the parents evening went with DH, who mentioned DS might be dyslexic - DH is dyslexic and had similiar issues as a child but, like DS, he is extremely intelligent.

I've googled (stupid I know) and found this www.dyslexia.com/library/symptoms.htm
which not only deals with the reading/writing issue but also more emotion sides (such as bedwetting and a strong sense of right and wrong ) some of these describe DS perfectly.

I honestly don't know what I want from this (actually I don't want this at all as I feel DS has enough to fucking deal with).

More access to the right support I suppose?

Mmme - Yes, a laptop would be for a far older child than 6.

If your child needs extra help learning to read than they should get it - with or without a diagnosis.

Good schools will give you extra help with or without a diagnosis. Bad schools won't give you effective extra help (with or without a diagnosis).

There is absolutely nothing special that is done (at this age) because a kid has dyslexia.

The teacher will be well aware that the kid is below average. What do they recommend?

WBM - at the moment the fashion is to blame children's failure to read on bad synthetic phonics teaching - and the solution for everything is good synthetic phonics teaching.

Talk to the teacher about your concerns, and ask what will be done to ensure he catches up.

Bedwetting (and a lot of other dyslexic symptoms) can be a symptom of retained reflexes.

You have to now either go down the route of ensuring he gets better synthetic phonics teaching - or start to investigate the underlying problem.... (or both).

Or, you can wait a bit longer if the teacher thinks there is no problem and you agree.

How do I know if he has had good or bad synthetic phonics teaching Indigo?

(Are you a teacher btw as you seem to know what to be looking for which is helpful).

We did basic phonics at home but I know DS was doing them in reception too. I am not knowledgeable about this but I do want DS to improve and will try anything.

The teacher has mainly suggested extra reading and writing at home (which we do already) and then she will set us specific spellings to do on a daily basis at home.

I didn't realise that a diagnosis wouldn't actually make a difference to how he is taught.

Good phonics teaching is very important but dyslexic children often need more than just whole class phonics. Push for one to one with a dyslexia specialist. Your lea will have a spld team.You don't need a dx.

alhough a dx is helpful

Not all LAs have SpLD teams! And those that do usually have very strict criteria for who they will work with - I think all we're showing the OP is how the picture varies across the country, sorry.

but the government are training a gazillion spld teachers

WBM - I am not a teacher, but 2 of my children have 'dyslexia' so I have spent the last 3 years researching it.

How do you know if he has been taught properly? You don't - so you should try to teach him yourself, then you can rule that one out.

Also IME the SpLD team will come in and recommend better synthetic phonics teaching (and show the school how to do so.)

So I recommend you do 3 things:

1. Ask school to refer him to the SpLD team. As they raised concerns they absolutely should do this. Don't listen to any excuses why they can't do this (unless there isn't a SpLD team in your LEA) - but there normally is, it is normally free to schools, and there is normally a 6 month waiting list to see them. Don't let them tell you to wait and see - that is what the 6 month waiting list is for.

2. Start doing a daily synthetic phonics program with your child yourself. I recommend Dancing Bears. This takes 10 minutes every day and is designed to be done by parents (or at school).

3. If you can, get your child's vision checked by a Behaviour Optometrist. A regular optician only checks for long / short sighted. You need an behaviour optometrist to properly check your child's vision.

Hearing is much harder to check. So maybe wait 6 months before trying that.

That will keep you busy for the next 6 months :)

HTH

Get his eyes tested

I was convinced DS2 was dyslexic as he was way behind his peers ( but very intelligent)

It turned out he needed to wear glasses all the time.

He is now catching up.
He is aged 7 btw.

I just wanted to say thank you to all of the people who have responded to this thread, the advice I have received is invaluable.

Having talked it out with my mum I have decided that I will do the spellings as set by the teacher and continue reading and will start a day to day diary for DS to practice his writing skills.

Also I will be doing the dancing bears phonics system (which looks fantastic and fairly easy to fit into our already hectic life).

I will continue to do this for the next six months (roughly until the next parents evening), to see how he progresses.

He is also awaiting a psychologists appointment for other issues so I think for him at the moment an extra diagnosis won't be much help - but by doing these extra educational things now I know that he is at least getting the right start.

If in six months time there is no improvement I will then speak to his teacher about involving the SENCO (the school have someone on site so I'm told), and see where we go from there.

I have booked him in for an eye test though, just in case.

Again thanks to everyone who posted :)