DS is being tested for dyslexia - what happens next?

[freshprincess]

DS's is 7 in Yr2. Just before Easter holidays his teacher said that she had some concerns about dyslexia. His reading isn't too bad - got a 2c in his SATs. He doesn't read fluently, he sounds out the majority of the words but does understand the story, although not so much the subtext.

His handwriting though is dreadful - he reverses the majority of the letters (including the initial of his own name) even when copying. And the same for writing numbers (although I think this is more common in this age group?). His teacher said that he is well below average in writing.

At first they didn't want to test him till he moved to Year 3 as they don't test till children are 7 (even though he's September born so he's actually 7.5 and will be 8 in year 3). His teacher pushed and he has been doing tests with (I think) the SENCO this week. He told me that he did a bit of writing and had to pick rhyming words and make up a story.

So what happens if he's dx. I've no idea about SENCOS, IEPs, statements etc. what does it all mean? What do I say to him? How can I help him?

Depends on the school. Ask the SENCO what next when you discuss the screening results (Special Educational Needs Co-ordinating Officer) each school has one.

He will probably get and IEP done with aims and targets, that you plan and agree together with the school.

DS2 is 9 and was screened at school in when he was 6.5. He has private weekly tuition at Dyslexia Action £35 a week and the school support him in some ways. I paid £100 for an assesment at Dyslexia Action which was much more detailed. His teacher at DA is brilliant and we have seen great improvements since he started the lessons in September.

It's a slow process and no instant fix, but whatever you do, don't view it as a negative, it is not at all.

Check out a website called Dudes with Dyslexia and Being Dyslexic which has great forums.

Also your local council has something called a Parent Partnership which should be able to send you info and a leaflet about the stages of help and funding.

When we discussed it with DS he was actuallu realeived that there was a name for it and he was not stupid. He is very good orally and understands everything, it's just the pen to paper thing that's hard, he has found joined up writing easier to do as he says the letters flow much better on the page.

Thanks for replying - I'll take a look at all the information you suggested. I should get the results early next week so hopefully I'll know more then.

DH and I have been viewing it as quite a negative thing and I was incredibly upset at first when the teacher said she was referring him to the SENCO. I'm trying to give myself a kick up the backside though so I'm in a better frame of mind for the results.

No worries, I too cried when I was told so don't feel silly at all!

We've just done some literacy homework, he had to draw a map of a magical land and write about it. So he drew the map, no problem and he told me all about it and I typed it up for him six paragraphs that would have taken an age and been stressfull to do if he had to write it. He did label the map which was about 2-3 words, four lines in total.

So homework done, it was fun and no stress for either of us! You find ways to adapt and the school are really happy with this.