Dd predicted to be at level 2 reading, writing and maths by the end of year 3 ( below national expectation) am worried.

[bumbez]

Dd age 7 and in year 3 has always struggled with reading and maths, she was assessed for dyslexia and isn't . She is on the sen register and does get extra help.

Lately she's started to say the words move around on the page, and has been given a plastic see through coloured overlay which does help.

She is great at art and has a fantastic imagination.

I'm not sure whether to accept that that's the best she's capable of achieving and let the school get on with it, or go and speak to her teacher who at the last meeting wasn't too worried.

I'm worried though, her self esteem is beginning to suffer - she thinks she's stupid.

Has any one experienced anything similar ? Should I get her seen by an optometrist?

Grateful for any advice.

50% of all pupils will be below average - its what average means

and frankly, by the time she gets to secondary school, Year three assessments will be totally irrelevant
enjoy doing what she likes and stop stressing about arbitrary levels

If the words move around the page and a coloured overlay helps, then she has a vision problem.

She probably has convergence insufficiency which is when both eyes don't work together properly. The words probably move because she is alternating looking though her left eye and her right eye - and her left eye and right eye are staring at different places.

A game which helps with convergence problems is Engaging Eyes.

A regular optometrist or optician doesn't treat convergence insufficiency.

A behaviour optometrist should treat convergence problems. Some of them do and are very good - and some of them aren't very good and don't manage to treat the problems they claim they can.

All of them charge a fair bit. I paid £500 to one who wasn't able to help my DD.

So I recommend starting with Engaging Eyes, and if it doesn't help (after playing it daily for 4 months or so) then go to a behaviour optometrist.

Thank you indigo I will try that, is your daughter ok now ?

My DD is fine now - but we had to do a lot more than just engaging eyes as she had very severe dyslexia.

However now she is doing brilliantly and I'm thrilled.

If after doing engaging eyes your DD is still struggling feel free to PM me - I have loads of other suggestions.

Great to see you back Indigo.

Hope things get easier for your daughter Bumbex

First of all "average" does not mean 50% will below avearge. National expectation is what the majority will achieve. Level 2 is not necessary below national expectation.

Secondly High street Opticians do diagnose and treat convergence insufficiency. Two different ones have picked my daughters convergence problems. So before you spend a penny go to your optician and see from there.
One easy way of checking is holding a pencil at arms length then gradually bringing it towards you slowly. Eyes should start seeing double at around 8cm my DDs was about 20cm. T
here is then a simple excercise to do every day that doesnt cost anything. If that doesnt work then take it further but dont spend money you dont have to.

I'm gratefull for all replies, yesterday I met with the senco teacher at the school who coincidentally has a son in the same class as my dd, these children are having similar problems and before I even got to discuss optometrist she told me she is taking her ds to see one this Thursday. £130 for an initial assessment which doesn't sound too bad, and will let me know how he gets on.

Thanks for the offer of pm ing you indigo that's really kind, I'm glad your dd is ok :)

I'll try the pencil test tonight bruffin and speak to my own optician.