Dyslexic? (sorry, longer than I expected)

[ZebraInHiding]

I just wanted some feedback on the possibility of my son being dyslexic. On the dyslexiaa2z site, he meets all of the checklist, that is :
When your child reads and spells, does he frequently:

• Confuse letters that look similar: d - b; u - n; m ? n?
• Confuse letters that sound the same: v; f; th?
• Reverse words: was - saw; now ? won?
• Transpose words: left - felt?
• Read a word correctly and then further down the page, read it wrong?
• Change words around: the cat sat on the mat (the mat sat on the cat)?
• Confuse small words: of, for, from?
• When reading has difficulty in keeping the correct place on a line and frequently loses his place?
• Read correctly but does not understand what he is reading?

He also frequently (as in, everytime he says it!) has to be corrected with his speech with words such a because(decause).

He also has a few of the other signs listed on the beingdyslexic site such as 'good' and 'bad' days with his reading. Almost fluent one day, then cannot read even a simple cvc word without sounding out the next. He will fail to recognise a word he previously sounded out up the page when it is repeated further down and have to sound it out again. He guesses words, or just reads half the word, so will say you for yours, your, you etc.

He also has problems with his sequences, took ages to learn to count over 30, kept on skipping half the numbers up to 100, and still doesnt know the alphabet (as in the alphabet song).

I have mentioned it to his teacher (who is just lovely, and I really rate her!) and mentioned dyslexia, but they seem to be not keen on testing them? He was put on a daily reading with the teacher rota, and the did a bit of the alphabet song at school (she seemed really surprised when I mentioned that at parent teacher meeting).

Next term he is also going to a separate group that has additional help four days a week for half an hour, as well as the daily reading, as well as reading at home with me each day.

I know a label wont help him as such, and I know there is no cure, but if a label helps us access extra help then I would like to get it as soon as possible. However, with or without a label, I am sure the measures put in place by the teacher will help him :)

So, should I push for testing?

wigglywoowoo - You need to get to the root of the tummy pain.

It's probable that for some reason she can't digest food properly (either because of leaky gut or candida or she's missing a digestive enyzme) which means that gluten (and heaps of other foods) will be irritating her gut, and then getting into her bloodstream, and then causing all sorts of problems including brain problems.

HelpOneAnother - I have done an awful lot of research, well actually mostly just experimentation on my 3 kids :)

And basically what I have found is that all of their problems (severe dyslexia, Aspergers, Dyspraxia) originally stem from a tummy problem.

ie don't focus on the working memory problems or other symptoms of dyslexia, instead focus on fixing the underlying problem which is causing the symptoms.

So I solved the tummy problem (with diet and supplements and homeopathy) then I had to fix all the problems which had been caused over the years by having the gut problems.

I did that with neurodevelopment therapy, vision therapy, and auditory therapy.

DD had incredibly bad working memory. But now after doing all of the above it's fine. Each therapy and dietary change I've done has helped a little, and together they've helped a lot.

Thanks Indigo I know I do it has been an issue since she was a baby but it seems to go into to remission for months and then return. The latest bout has lasted a year now which is why she is being seen by the consultant.

I'm really glad you've return to Mumsnet, your presence was missed!

The reason they don't test before the age of 7, it that the brain is still developing - it is very plastic "maleable" until the age of 7.
Everything you are describing is completely normal in a child of 5. His brain just hasn't had enough visual experience for him to always see things the correct way round.
I'm an Optometrist, I also have a child of 6, who did all those things (still does occasionally). But after a slow start, his reading age is now 8.
I would get his eyes tested by a regular optometrist and if all is okay, Don't worry. Just keep reading as you are doing with him.

WiggleyWooWoo - Try reading the GAPS diet. It will give you loads more clues as to why your child has tummy pain.

Thanks Indigo

And basically what I have found is that all of their problems (severe dyslexia, Aspergers, Dyspraxia) originally stem from a tummy problem.

Indigo are you saying that you have now cured all those "problems" including the Aspergers?

OP - Trust your instincts. I had the same suspicions about my DD from reception but felt it was far too early. Yr 1 was miserable for her as she was so frustrated. In Yr 2 we paid for EP report (school agreed by then there was an issue and they wanted this done) which basically told us what we knew but not how to help.

I tooke her to a behavioural optometrist and we did exercises daily for 6 months and simultaneously started this program. This year has seen a steady and consistent improvement with an immediate boost in confidence - she's a different child from just a year ago. It's not cheap, but it has worked for us. Now on the SpellMagic programme as her reading has improved so much.

Gluten intolerance is a huge phenomenon, widely misunderstood and many consultants have been fighting to get it a recognised condition and developing a test.

Having 2 children with coeliac I have done loads of research into the subject and you will be suprised at how many conditions have been linked to coeliac and/or gluten intolerance, including ADHD and some forms of autism, as well as thyroid, schizophrenia and even epilep amongst many.

That is not to say that ALL of these conditions are caused by gluten intolerance but certainly a percentage. If your child has gut problems too I would seriously consider investigating the gluten link.

wiggliwoo I would push for a coeliac test for peace of mind. The consultant my DS2 originally saw also dismissed coeliac and only ended up testing him as I was adamant he had it. You can even buy a test kit from the pharmacy, and do it yourself, I did this with my DS1 as they refused to test him as he had no symptoms and came up positive. They then took me seriously and he also had coeliac despite having no symptoms at all!!

orangeberries Did you see a gastroenterologist for the coeliac test or was it another consultant? We are seeing the consultant in early January so I may be able to mention it then.

Sorry OP I seemed to have hijacked your post

Hi, we saw a general consultant paediatrician privately as my GP surgery doesn't draw blood from children, although some do. So you could have your GP surgery do it as it's a simple blood test.

When the blood test came back positive we were referred to a surgeon for the endoscopy and then to a consultant gastroenterologist for follow up care. PM me if you want more details, happy to help!! x