signs of dyslexia? or normal?

[Anomaly]

DS1 has just finished year 1. His teacher has told us she thinks verbally he seems very able and his reading and writing are at a much lower level than she would expect.

I've been told diagnosis of dyslexia is not done before age 7. My mum is sure he is dyslexic because he confuses b and d, he writes a number of letters and numbers as a mirror image and because he forms letters incorrectly. I've been reassured by friends their kids do this too and that it's normal at age 6.

Can anyone reassure me that he might not be dyslexic? Is it possible that his reading and writing could vastly improve over the next year?

mrz

What would you have me do? I am doing as much research as I can, the school appears to be behaving reasonably but my children are still not reaching their potential. Shall I just give up because I am wasting my time with an EP? I work full time and I am trying to do my best for my children without the access to knowledge and resources you have through your job. Thanks for making me feel like a complete failure for trying to do my best for my children. I feel like crying.

I'm not trying to make you feel like a failure but I don't want you to assume that EP reports or labels are going to change a school. They won't!
I didn't have any access to knowledge or resources when my child was in primary - I worked in industry and trusted professional... even the EP who wrote that I was an over anxious mother and my son's writing difficulties were lack of effort. Even the EP who recommended he use a laptop or PC to complete work which the school ignored. Even the next EP who recommended a computer prog which the school ignored. Even the EP who decided he would be best working alone in a cupboard with no access to a teacher ... no at that point I did cry and stopped listening!

The school is positive, they recommended the EP (its a private school so I'm paying) and its the same EP that one of the LS teachers used for her own daughter (the EP is a consultant neuropsychologist at a children's hospital as well so I did check their qualifications). I think the school will listen to the advice given.

I just want to understand better what problems my children face, is it processing speed, phonological issues, memory or all of them? I have to think about what Senior school will suit DS1 as he is going into Yr6 and if the report shows he is academically able but needs support in certain areas I will pick a different school than if it shows that he is academically average with a few weak spots. I want to find the best environment to suit him, where he will feel happy and achieve his potential whatever that may be.

Did I mention the consultant who said he'd seen worse ... Y6 teacher was telling me my son was the most able child she had taught in 30 years as a teacher ... and he couldn't write!