Dyslexia/Dysgraphia & 11+

[OnePunnyTiger]

Interested in finding a true expert who can help us understand whether our DS has dyslexia or dysgraphia. Struggling with handwriting and have been receiving handwriting help separately but it seems there’s something else. We’ve tested for IQ/ADHD, etc and only found some minor sensory challenges but this is now impacting his schoolwork and want to get it resolved.

Also curious how this impacts 11+. Teachers noted that if he has dyslexia he can receive longer test times. Separately do we inform the school as we meet them? Do we hide it until the test? Also, how do we court the school (have been told that some, like Harrodian want to hear from
you more to know that you’re interested..). TY!

Have you thought of dyspraxia? Our daughter although not diagnosed probably has it. Her handwriting is not eligible and clumsy as hell, finding basic daily stuff quite challenging.

regarding the 11plus and extra time, you would need to seek an assesment from an educational psychologist and a jcq test needs to be done to provide supportal evidence to the exam board that that is your ds’s normal way of working.

Teachers should contact your schools senco who can then make a referral

When you say you have tested for
ADHD, what do you mean? If you mean you or his school did a screener questionnaire, that might have given you a false negative. My DC2 at age 16 or 17 did a whole pile of screeners for different conditions at school. The results of all were 'normal'. At age 18, after completing A-Levels DC2 was diagnosed with dyslexia and at 20 with ADHD. The psychiatrist also gave DC2 several screeners for ADHD and all or most of them came out as normal too. I asked her why the screeners were normal and she said because Dc2 is young and not very self-aware.

I took DC2 to a local private dyslexia assessor. I couldn't go through school because they had left school by that point. I found the assessor by asking for recommendations on local social media.

Dyslexia doesn’t necessarily mean extra time. Does he need extra time, beyond the handwriting issue? The teacher doesn’t sound well informed so should speak to the SENCo. He should probably be seen by an OT, should be learning to type (he can type in 11+ as his normal way of working if SENCo informs schools) typing at school as often as possible. You may need to see an ed psych (necessary for ET at 11+ usually, at secondary for GCSE’s some private schools do their own assessments, others take evidence from the EP)

No, but it was on my list to check. Thank you! Helpful. Do you have any recommendations on who may be able to help review him?

Thanks. What’s Senco? Is that in the school? Just learning about this

Not sure we have one

I mean a proper shrink, not the school test

would you recommend your dyslexia screener though?

Would you recommend your dyslexia screener? Looking for someone to help. I know nothing about this.

Senco is a qualified teacher who is apart from teaching responsibilities, also a special educational need coordinator

You can find the name of the school SENCo on their website. In state it is a statutory position, all schools have them. They are the special educational needs coordinator. They will be responsible for supporting children with needs, like your son, they should be supporting and advising the teacher. I’m small schools it is sometimes the head or deputy’s role.

Have a look on the PATOSS website. Or… speak to the SENCo. The school is unlikely to do a dyslexia assessment, but may do a screener.

You need to prove that your DS needs a thing called access arrangement. Can be a laptop (probable if handwriting is tricky) or a scribe or separate room for exam and/or extra time (usually 25 % )

Is your child in an independent or state school? The SENCo coordinates the provision for special educational needs and liaises with teachers about strategies and support.

Independent. I found them now. Any recommendations on outside experts on this?

I would go and see an ed psych for a full report. As well as diagnosing dyslexia/dysgraphia and suggesting strategies for helping your child with any learning difficulties they will also sign post if they think your child may have adhd/dyspraxia etc. I can recommed Annie Mitchel if you're in SW london. We saw her from her consulting rooms on the Kings Road after she was recommended to me by several people. I was happy with her report and felt she understood my child.

Excellent, thank you so much! I needed a recommendation/name and will look her up. 🙏