What do I do now to get support for dyslexic DD?

[roamingespadrille]

I don't know where to turn for help with DD. She had a private ed psych assessment 15 months ago when she was in year 2. School had suggested 'dyslexic tendencies' but that they would not be able to fund an assessment. Report showed very poor phonological and spelling skills and very high levels in other areas such as verbal reasoning and vocabulary.

I have met with class teachers and SENCO at least half termly since. DD has made no progress in writing. Her writing is below Year 1 expected level I think. She is now approaching the end of year 3.

So far, school have provided: a fortnight of not doing class literacy but working on a 'project' instead. 6 ad hoc sessions with a TA - outcome of which was 'yes, she has got lots of gaps'. One session with the SENCO using a THRASS chart. A place at the front of the class directly in front of the board.

At my insistence they have finally dropped weekly spelling tests of 'year 3 words', having told me that she 'must learn them because all year 3 need to know them'. It isn't clear what she does when the class do these tests. I get different responses each time I ask. I suspect she reads quietly.

She appears to be a very able reader (Little House on the Prairie, Harry Potter, younger Terry Pratchetts, as examples) and comprehends what she reads. We still read to her too. However, she cannot decode new words out of context.

After trying a few different things at home, I have been doing Apples and Pears for three months with her. She is on the second part of Book A and does well in the sessions but there is not yet any discernible improvement in her free writing.

Writing and any homework is now hated. She does everything possible to avoid it.

Please could I have any suggestions about what to do now? What else should I be asking of the school? I have asked for the head to be present at some of our meetings but she hasn't been. She retires at the end of term.

Changing schools isn't an option. She has already moved once (as we moved areas) and is a sensitive type at the best of times. She loves her friends and the wider curriculum of the school. Reception sibling is settled well. Ofsted have just been and just the school 'good'.

Thanks.

My son saw three different Ed Psychs in primary school. All dismissed my concerns (over protective mother) because he was an excellent reader despite struggling with writing. It was only in secondary they realised he didn't know any sounds and was unable to blend or segment.

It all sounds familiar to me too, reading always "above average", despite a very low score in the year 1 phonics screening, spelling atrocious, me eventually having a private assessment made in year 5. We went down the private tutoring route in the end, things have improved but of course the goalposts have massively changed on SPAG requirements too, DD has just taken year 6 SATS. The main positive of the private assessment for us was that although the school didn't increase their interventions (she was getting a small amount of these) they did change their attitude towards her efforts. Previously she was labelled as "not really trying", now they acknowledge she is really trying and reward her for that. Woe've also gone down the route of encouraging extra-curricular interests, musical theatre is also my DD's passion and she is a member of a swimming club.

Fighting a school who don't 'believe' is pointless and soul destroying. Believe me, I know!
She is being failed by the school. Getting them to admit this is almost impossible. I hope you get the practical steps advice that will help her specifically.

At home, carry on, as long as it is not a point of total conflict. It sounds like you are seeing progress - is your DD aware of this?
How about letting your DD dictate her homework to you?
What do you think of a specialist tutor?

At school, would they be prepared to use something like Clicker7, do some of the Apple and Pears books or use another programme like From Alpha to Omega?

Does your DD struggle with copying? Can the school reduce the amount if necessary? Can your DD take notes in a different format - mindmaps?

You have a discrepancy between underlying ability and what is going down on paper to encourage the school to be more proactive. Keep asking them for a mixture of accommodation and support.