calling teachers out there- is this dyslexia

[sanae]

My DS is now in Y4. I have been concerned about his reading ability since year 1 but he went through the general dyslexic screen all the kids get and I was told he was definitely not dyslexic. Last year his teacher told me that she was concerned that his reading age was about 9 months behind his chronological age and that she couldn't really put her finger on why. She felt he wasn't bad enought to require extra help though. We have since moved areas and schools. His new teacher has said the same - reading ability well below his general ability which is probably above average. She considered doing a dyslexia test but decided against and instead she is going to try him with different colour laminates. Again she feels it is not bad enough to hold him back/need help. I have seen him struggle so hard with reading, he has complete lack of confidence in his reading abilities (not helped by whizzo younger sister's brilliant reading, though I also have DD 3 whose reading is just "normal")and I feel surely it must handicap him a bit as so much learning is word based. My question is, surely a specific reading problem is by definition dyslexia, or am I wrong here? I don't want to pressurise him further by getting him tested outside school, also not too certain why I feel the need to know, but feel it might help me help him, and help me to understand more. Any ideas from people in the know?

Are there any other issues? What is his writing like - sentence construction, spelling, letter formation?

What's his spelling/wordbuilding skills like?

Do they have any intervention programmes at his school? Like Wesford? (For children with dyslexic tendencies - NOT dyslexia).

And it's worth keeping in mind, that a lot of private dyslexic tests will tell you he has some dyslexic tendencies anyway.

I've a feeling that 9 months behind at aged 8/9 wouldn't be considered serious enough to actively seek a diagnosis although it may vary by area. Our dn had to be over 18 motnhs behind in reading to get any specific help at school and even so is apparently not dyslexic. What have they tried thus far to engage and help him specifically ?

I have a dianogsis of dyslexia. My reading skills are good, never really a problem, but loved reading a s a kid. Dyslexia normally includes other difficulties, like spelling, word struture, grammer, and concentration.
Hope it makes sence. I know 9 months might sound a lot but maybe his just never going to be a reader. Do you read to him? Does he enjoy reading any books? harry potter?

lisa

I think it's really important not to jump to a conclusion of dyslexia - there can be lots of reasons why children have problems reading. Sounds as if some screening tests could help the teacher though, if only to get a clearer idea of exactly how he approaches reading. I assume he's had his eyes tested etc? Whatever the problem, he should be getting support now. It's one of those situations where I'd have to see him reading to provide any constructive advice (I have a dyslexia teaching qualification and have a dyslexic son). Whatever happens, keep on the case - I'm sure you will! I know from experience how children can get overlooked at school.

his spelling is not at all good, also he lacks organisational skills, but I'm not sure any more so than many other 9 year olds! I have always read to him, virtually every night, and he loves Harry Potter, but wouldn't dream of picking it up and reading it himself. He does have an occasional squint and I have often wondered if this might cause him problems but he has been to opticians/hospital and all assure me he does not need glasses. Thanks for your your posts so far, made me understand a bit more why he probably does not have dyslexia, but I would still be interested to hear anyone elses pearls of wisdom!

Hi Sanae
I have a dyslexic 9 year old and was recently given this imformation.
We learn:-
10% of what we read
20% of what we see
30% of what we hear
50% of what we see and hear (read out loud)
70% of what we discuss with another person
85% of what we experience personally
95% of what we teach

I have found it very useful to put into context the importance of reading and learning.

It is also useful to remember that you need to read in different ways for different reasons for school/learning. For example detailed reading, critical reading, analytial reading, reading for information, scanning, skimming, reading for enjoyment.

Obviously, reading is very important and with my son it is the time it takes to read and the amount of imformation he can intake at one time that is the problem, but this has helped me to realise that being a slow reader will not stop him learning.

I hope this is of some help to you.

Thanks IGG, I think that is quite comforting - I suppose because I have always been a big reader I worry about his lack of love for reading and the fact that he isn't prepared to put any effort in. On the other hand he is at that stage where he is very interested in the world around him, I must make more effort to discuss things and perhaps accept he may learn in different ways to me.

An occasional squint would make me as a teacher concerned enough to try and investigate further. Would be worth getting his eyes tested again just to make absolutely sure glasses etc aren't needed.

Also have you come across colour filters before? Very briefly, some children complain of 'words jumping', 'wavy writing', or a 'fuzziness' to the text they read. They find the black text on white paper really hard to read because of the high contrasts. Holding a coloured piece of acetate over the text can often make the text easier to read.

I think that is probably what his teacher is talking about, I must remember to ask whether she has tried it.

IGG - great advice!
If a child can read, most Ed Psychs won't give a definition of dyslexia. In any event it doesn't matter what you call it, it is how you support him and how you are supported that matters here. Some children are useless at art, or maths or running. Your son finds reading tricky which is a shame, but as he gets older he will develop all sorts of strategies to help him overcome this.
Keep reading to him and help him to read all sorts of matter, labels on tins, comics, posters, anything, not just books.