We have a dyslexia diagnoses- what now?

[TeddyBear5]

Literally received the ed psych report today which shows his strengths/weaknesses/overall summary. It has classroom 'suggestions' and ways to help ds and his particularly way of learning.

What should we be expecting from the school now? They've said they'll be a meeting between his teacher (who is very good btw), the senco and us. This however is proving difficult because the senco is also the headteacher and only there 2.5 days a week.

He also moves up schools in sept so do we need to liaise with them at all?

You should expect them to follow the EPs suggestions if possible. But they'll need to read the report to know what the suggestions are.

They may already be doing some things as a matter of course. And other things may not be practical or possible.

You now do as much or as little as you want to. If you think there are life changing suggestions in there bust a gut to get them implemented. Or if you think they're more nice to haves and the teachers already doing her best you can do nothing.

Really depends how old your DS is. How much he's struggling. And how useful the EP report was.

at the typo in my title especially because of the subject!

He's 8 (yr 4) and not struggling hugely but definitely not reaching his potential directly due to his difficulties. His main issues are with spelling, phonological recoding (?), phonological memory, memory for digits and rapid digit naming. (Percentile 9 for the digit ones). It showed he does have excellent underlying ability (percentile 98 and above). NC levels are approx reading 3a, writing 2a and maths 3c.

School already have the report (they gave my copy to me) and some of the things are already in place. Do I need to make sure the new school know or will it be passed on automatically as part of the admission process?

I'd love to help him as much as I can obviously.

A friend's dyslexic child found reading on a Kindle way easier than paper books and paper books wise liked the Tom Gates books.
www.dyslexiaaction.org.uk/book-guide-reluctant-and-dyslexic-readers

Have coloured overlays been tried?

The report will be passed on automatically as part of his school file.

That doesn't guarantee it'll be read though so if you want to make sure the report is read you could ring the new SENCO and tell her about it.

Thank you for your replied.

Reading isn't too much of a problem. He occasionally misreads and transposes words but self corrects these. He has an average reading speed and comprehension was also average.

I might contract the Senco at the new school. He has an older brother already there so I'm familiar with the staff.

Yes but he could be above average perhaps with support - I am a year 6 teacher and one of my boys has gone from middle of the road to scoring 5as on reading papers (I know it's be last year of levels but you get my point) since we introduced an overlay and a couple of other things.

I would definitely let new SENCO know, they will appreciate any heads up you can give them.

Sorry that isn't very clear - what I'm saying is that by saying he is average reader, that's compring him to other children. He is average for his age. What I'm saying is, there may be untapped potential, limited by the dyslexia at the moment. It's worth checking whether an overlay or whatever will boost him at all.

www.bdadyslexia.org.uk/parent/code-of-practice

This will help you know what you should expect from the school. Schools really vary re knowledge and support

Yes I see what you mean. I have to admit I don't really understand overlays but will do some research.
The bda website has become my new obsession so thanks for the link!

We really struggled for so long to get the referral, it's a complete relief to have it in black and white. I'm thankful for every suggestion and help to get ds2 exactly where he should be. I hold much guilt at the moment that he's struggling in this way that I want to give him my all to help him.

Try not to stress too much. Now you have the assessment, you know exactly what he is having to deal with and can move forward. I would also make new teachers and/or new schools aware ie don't assume the info has been passed on and read (it took 6 months for info to get to DD's Uni although they've been brilliant since). He may be entitled to extra times in exams so enquire about that. He may find using a laptop makes things like longer projects and essay writing easier (if this is the case I would recommend you encourage him to learn touch typing ASAP).

The research evidence on coloured overlays is mixed, but some people say they find it helpful. We did take DD to specialist optometrist but DD didn't find overlays practical or useful. However optometrist recommendation that she should have handouts and exam papers in a larger font has proved really useful.

One of the after school clubs at the new school is touch typing so I will get him signed up for that.

The report says that he should be given extra time to complete work in class - do you think this is enough to request that he is also given extra time in exams?

The guidelines for extra time are quite strict but I would ask if he is entitled for SATs and ask again as gcse nears. DD is allowed to do exams in a separate room as apparently reading aloud improves her outcomes (she always mutters to herself when reading at home) - however school weren't able to facilitate this but I am not sure what will happen at Uni.

You don't need a diagnosis for extra time in KS2 national curriculum tests

Betweentwolungs-do you mind me asking what other things have helped your child? My child had just had a diagnosis of dyslexia but school aren't offering any help as apart from comprehension / writing, shes above average and she's just about holding the average in writing (comprehension is pretty shocking tho) ( her IQ is above av). Im trying things at home as know a reasonable amount about dyslexia but any other ideas be gratefully received.....

Is that because no one is allowed extra time mrz or because it can be given discretionarily?

www.gov.uk/key-stage-2-tests-how-to-use-access-arrangements

Schools can apply for extra time but in primary a diagnosis isn't required and certainly wouldn't guarantee extra time I'm afraid

Wow! Thanks so much. I'm learning loads from mumsnet- schools and the EP are so limited as to what they tell you. The report on DS is the best insight we have had so far into his abilities and weaknesses.

I know it's not a difference in this situation but we are at the end of First school and he's about to start Middle school.

Just on the overlays suggestion, ask you son what he sees when he looks at a page of text. so ask him if the words stay still or do some of them blur or move? If he says they do, then it's definitely worth trying overlays and getting his eyes properly assessed. It's made a massive difference to my dyslexic son. He now wears tinted glasses.