dyslexia and support from school

[runningscare]

Hi, I am looking for clear guidance on what support my 10 year old son who has a diagnosis of dyslexia should be receiving. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

I know, that was my point!

Looking at this I feel like we have been very lucky with the level of support DS has had (state primary). But i'll put down our experience as it suggests the kind of thing that could be out there/ you could ask about. He was diagnosed year 1, now year 6. Agree with others that it's about working out exactly what the specific problems are. For him it mainly manifested in v poor writing due to both lack of aural phonics ability so that his spelling of even v basic words was nonexistent plus difficulties with letter formation and any kind of reliable orientation of the words on the page. He has a 1:1 literacy intervention twice a week working through a phonics for spelling programme plus (more when he was younger) going over and over the basics on letter formation, word positioning, punctuation, finger spaces. He had access to an Alpha Smart in the classroom but was encouraged to do short pieces handwritten and longer ones typed so as to reduce frustration when doing creative writing etc. We negotiated with his teachers that he could waive the literacy homework (usually make a poster type thing) and instead hand in handwriting basics practice, which helped. His visual processing affects his maths too but there's been no specific support with that. Also they have tried really hard to give him other opportunities to shine - he's good verbally so speaking in assembly, presentations etc. Hope none of this sounds smug. It's not been plain sailing at all and he's had some big lows but we are really grateful overall for the support he has had, especially hearing the struggles others have had x

What rubbish of course the label is relevant and to suggest otherwise is insulting to children. Children deserve to know what is that’s causing the difficulties, I’m still fixing the emotional damage to my child from primary school teachers trying to ignore problems rather than working with home to overcome them.

Teachers are professionals who should be capable of making sure that they keep themselves updated in how to help ALL of the children in their class

Also the “dyslexia” label gives legal protection under the equality act and the requirement that reasonable adjustments are made.

So the label is important and shouldn’t be dismissed as not necessary.

But would that child be able to achieve even more if they had been eligible for extra time.

Dyslexia effects the brain in terms of their working memory, absorbing information and being able to plan organise their thoughts.

My son averaged 75% in his six weekly year 4 maths tests but he was physically and mentally exhausted getting that 75%. The test was on a Friday this followed a week of having to complete a 9 page maths pack at home in preparation. Extra time and a different approach may have resulted in a less stressed higher achieving 8/9 year old