Possibly Dyslexia/ Optometry testing recommendations please

[gloo77]

School think DS (Yr3) is dyslexic and are going to assess him in the autumn. His SATs levels are strong, so he can read well above age expected level, maths is strong too, but his handwriting's lousy and he can't spell, still reverses letters/ numbers, etc. He says when he's trying to read, sometimes the words move - especially if he focuses on something he's struggling to read. That makes copying hard for him, so long spellings off the white board are nigh on impossible.

All means I'd like to try and get him to a Optometrist who understands dyslexia/ eye problems. We're London based. Can anyone recommend someone?

We used Owen Leigh Optometry in Petersfield, but that might be a little too far out for you.

Thanks Handbag. Would prefer someone a bit closer if poss. Were they helpful though? Am new to all of this.

You need to go to a behaviour optometrist. See the BABO website:
www.babo.co.uk/babo-members/
We went to one in Milton Keynes who I can highly recommend. 4-5 months of vision therapy have cured DS's eye tracking problems (he was 7.5 when we started). He also was a good reader, but striggled with writing. It's improving a lot now he can track properly, but is still below average.

Thanks MrsB. I will have a look at that site. Glad to hear your DS is improving through it.

His handwriting has improved significantly btw :) Last year it was obvious at parents evening which work was DS's - this year I struggled to pick out his work on the walls bacuse the letters are sooooo much smaller and written with better control. All because he can see now :)

Have you spoken to school about all this? I ended up having to see my GP to request testing and referral to a paediatrician because DS was afraid of writing and had some dyspraxic tendencies. They rules out dyspraxia, but the referrals ended up getting him diagnised with "Specific learning difficulties in spelling, writing, and fine motor control". It was worth going through the process because he's getting help in school now. He has daily 1-2 spelling help (Word Wasp) and is now allowed to used an AlphaSmart computer sometimes too.

As an aside, the dyspraxic tendencies were caused by his eye problems - it took so much effort to look at the think ahead of him that he was blocking out his peripheral vision so bumped into lots of things and was very clumsy. Now his sight's better, he doesn't trip and bump into things and even likes football now! We have been told to let him play ball sports over the summer to improve his tracking further.

Thanks Mrs B. Sounds like you've done well finding things to help your DS. Yes, I have spoken to the school and they agree. I got myself all wound up about it, only for the teacher to tell me they'd already decided he needs urgent assessment at the start of next term.

Funny what you say about noticing the other childrens' work, as that was something which made me think too. As their abilities have improved this year, it's become more marked. I was looking at a display by his class and realised there's no way he could write like lots of them had.

I think my ds's main problem is he doesn't fit most of the obvious markers, so it's easy for school to think he's doing okay/ not notice it as his SATs levels are strong. He does have a marked 'spiky' profile though, which is apparently indicative of dyslexia. I'm trying to read up as much as I can to make sure whatever the school do with him we agree with. All interesting in lots of ways. Am hoping we can help him before he becomes despondent!

Dr Clyde Alexander ( optometrist specialising in dyslexia) in Potters Bar- one of the best for doing this.

www.alexanderkobrin.com/gbu0-display/about-us.html link for you.

Try googling "Stealth Dyslexia" - does it ring any bells?

www.blackstone.co.uk/

we went here, guy was lovely and seemed really thorough but didn't find any issues with ds (dyspraxic at least) so not sure if any good or not.... will investigate that link as well, thanks mrsbaffled

That is interesting Mrs B, as yes lots does sound familiar. I will read more.

Thanks Ameliagrey and 3rndparty for those links. Will take a look.

So useful all of this. I was feeling a bit overwhelmed, but it's great to hear from others in a similar position.

I don't recommend blackstone.

His vision therapy isn't very good.

Alexander Kobrin! Changed my daughter's life! Go! Go Now!

Blimey horsemad, that's a mighty good recommendation. Do you mind me asking what he did for her?

Wow, he sounds grab Walsingham. Thanks for the tip.

Thanks Walsingham. Have already googled and found him.

I'm afraid we're no good to you but I can recommend the colour-omitry test (not sure of it's proper name). We originally had DS tested then decided to test DD as well & both have visual stress & reading has improved 25-30%. DH is also dyslexic & he decided to get himself checked out. Optomotrist said we were a rare family to have 2 who have been helped so much & not to expect DH to have the same condition. How wrong was he! DH's reading has now increased by 35%

Certainly worth getting any family members with dyslexia tested IMHO even though officially only 50% will find coloured overlays &/or lenses helpful

Dear OP- see Walsingham's post. Same story.

Right that's two v.strong recommendations, so thank you. Will call the guru-like Clyde and book DS in.

Mutteroo, that must have been fascinating for you all. How brilliant to help three members of the same family. I will see if they have one of those 'colour-omitry' thing to test DS with.

Watching your thread with interest, OP, and glad you are getting so much support for your ds

My dd1 had tracking problems, and we did get her tested for Irlen syndrome (a p/t SENCO at school had done the training) and she tested positive - but the overlays didn't seem to make much difference. Her tracking has improved with time anyway - she can read for longer without tiring now in Y3, and enjoys ball sports having hated them in the past - but she still has a few issues which make me wonder about dyspraxia/dyslexia. Very like your ds, she tends to be in top sets at school and can write neatly when she really tries - so its confusing.

Someone told me Ed Psychs were the ones to ask for testing for dyslexia/dyspraxia? is that wrong? We're in SW London, Potters Bar is a long long way...

Ed Psych do dyslexia, not dyspraxia. Having said that, the GP arranged assessment by a specialist teacher (from cognition and learning team) as opposed to ed psych. We were referred by the GP onto a paediatrician who assessed for dyspraxia who also referred him on to physio.

Elibean, I think (though might be wrong!) that the Behavioural Optometrist can assess the way the eyes interact with the brain, so pick up eye problems which might be causing issues in the classroom. To get an actual diagnosis of Dyslexia though, you need to get an approved assessor, so Ed Psych trained/ approved, so that's different.

Hope you can get some help for your DD. My DS sounds similar, though he really has got lousy handwriting. Even when he tries his hardest it's pretty illegible. Poor thing, he tries so hard too. I would love to be able to tell him there's a neurological reason. Am beginning to get quite excited for him, rather than upset about it, which feels odd!