Irlen syndrome/ dyslexia

[minko]

DD is 7 and in yr 3. She has recently started a new school and after 3 weeks there her teacher is keen to get her assessed for dyslexia. At her previous school, despite me raising concerns with her teachers since year 1 they assured me that as she was making progress she was fine.

I am relieved that someone seems to agree with me but annoyed that it has taken this long. DD is now falling further and further behind her peers.

My question is how is it assessed, and where do you go on from a diagnosis? How can I help her?

I have also read up about Irlen syndrome on the internet and this seems to describe a lot of her problems - skipping words when reading, losing her place all the time, misspelling frequent words, shocking hand writing, no punctuation etc. I've seen their coloured filters and glasses - does anyone have any experience??

Anyone??

Thanks goodness you moved her then! Dyslexia Institute can diagnose - about £500, but as the teacher has identified the problem perhaps the school will look at getting an EP in who can diagnose. The main issue will be meeting her needs in school, so I would be asking the school to get an SPLD specialist teacher in to work with her.
Irlens syndrome - you could try the NHS or a specialist optemetrist.

The teacher says they have an allowance to forward 4 children in the class to be assessed by a local specialist - and then have one hour a week of one to one teaching. Which is all good, but now someone has confirmed my fears I want it all to happen NOW! The teacher was a bit vague about when it would happen, so I was considering getting her seen independently asap.

Not sure what I am hoping to achieve with a diagnosis though. How does a regular school cope with dyslexic children??

depends on the school really. Push for your child to be seen by the specialist teacher. If you pay for the dx it will give you ammunition for that.

You can find private Educational Psychologists or Specialist Teachers both who are able to assess by searching the web on google for example. I came accross a few of their websites on a search. All EPs or STs will hold certificates to prove they are sufficiently qualified to assess. Many of them are a lot cheaper than £500 for an assessment.

Having spoken to the teacher again this morning I found she started back-pedalling like mad... What she is proposing isn't an assessement but putting DD forward for extra help with a specialist teacher to 'fill in the gaps' that she has trouble with. This help would be for one hour a week and continue for about 3 months. Then, seemingly, they hope she would have caught up and life would continue as normal.

Now, to me that sounds a bit hollow...

I have phoned the local dyslexia centre (we're quite lucky in that there is a centre nearby) and talked about getting DD assessed at our own expense. First we have to fill in some forms about DD and then they will decide which assessment they will give her costing either £420 or £490.

I will also look into getting her eyes properly tested - will the doctor be able to refer us??

Hi Minko,Just seen your post,I have just come from Moorfields after trying to get a referral for Irlen Syndrome which my DD who is also 7 and in year 3 is showing symptoms of. The consultant had never HEARD of it and had to google for information while I was sitting there. So maybe forget trying to get a referral through the NHS. I am now going privately as far as the hospital was concerned her eyes are physically fine - they did run numerous tests and this is a 'perception problem not a physical problem'- read as 'not their problem'.
I did get my DD tested for dyslexia first but that has been ruled out.
Has your DD's school point -blank refused to test her? The school should be able to claim the costs back from your LEA or you can appeal directly to your LEA but in todays economic climate that might prove fruitless!
My DD's teacher is working with me best she can but my DD gets no extra help at school I am doing my best at home to make sure she keeps up with the rest of her class. I am pretty pissed at the moment (the appointment was today !!) as like you I need something to be done NOW that I know there is a problem, but not to worry tomorrow I will be on it! Please let me know how you get on and I wish you more luck than I have had so far.

Hi Minky, having seen your post I am a specialist teacher in specific learning difficulties. Your DD could be experiencing problems in learning for any number of reasons. I am developing a website to help parents access more information because although, under the disability Discrimination act parents have a legal right for their child to access education, the reality is very different and I am aware that parents are powerless to enforce their rights. I cannot publish the name of my website here but I suggest you google DDA, SENDA, British Dyslexia Association, PATOSS (professional association of teachers of students with specific learning difficulties) and try and get in touch with the local BDA support group.
Irlens syndrome is a specific problem and rarely causes the 'spectrum' of problems often experienced by a child with dyslexia and/or other specific learning difficultis such as dyspraxia.
Hope this helps.

Minko
I' ve just posted on your other thread by mistake. I would definitely investigate coloured filters - they have made a big difference to my son. We went to a v good optometrist in Ham , but I expect you can find one more locally.