If school don't fully assess are they just peeing on the wind and wasting cash?

[carocaro]

DS2 is 9 and dyslexic. Beyond an initial screening that is all that we know. The spectrum is huge and specific needs differ from child to child. Unless a more detailed assesement is done is the school not pissing in the wind and wasting resources? A best guess scenario as opposed to a detailed approach?

The thing is only an ed psych can diagnoise. A teacher cannot diagnose and is not qualified to. Carefully calibrated tests need to be carried out. Dyslexia can be caused by many things and have comorbidity with other issues. It may have a visual cause, it will include phonetic impairment and may also be coordination issues. Behavioural optomotrists are a good start. Some people swear by AIT as well. The school may be waiting for their visit from an ed psych but they are not that regular - it just can't happen like that. You can pay for one yourself privately but do be aware that there are a lot of people out there who are making a lot of money out of people's fears and worries. Essentially if a parent pays for a diagnosis then they get one. I've never known a parent that pays not get a 'something' even if in actuality what their child has is not actually that significant. So buyer beware!

Detailed assessment or not, my first questions would be... whether the support in school is making a difference? Are they using a structured multisensory programme of support that is designed to meet the needs of children with dyslexia or literacy difficulties? Is support in and out of the classroom meeting his educational needs?

However if your son is still struggling and the support in school is having little impact then perhaps discuss your concerns with the SENCO and query a referral to the school's Ed Psych.

Yes it is pissing in the wind.

You need to get an SpLD teacher. An SpLD teacher can diagnose the most accurately, and then devise a personalised programme for the child. More accurate than an EP I think, especially if its a LA EP who will not have much time for a detailed assessment.

And for best results, he needs to work 1:1 with a specialist / someone properly trained to implement the programme on a daily basis. This simply is not possible in most state schools.