I am concerned that DS2 is Dyslexic, but not sure where to start in getting a diagnosis

[Saltire]

I thought this years ago when he was at Primary school in Fife and it was poo pooed by teh school.

Why do i think this
His handwriting is atrocious
his reading ability is really good, but he struggles to read and says the words are a blur
He hears sounds in his ears (mainly whoosing nad whistling)
he occasionally wets the bed
He syas that the school have given him green papaer to read and write on as he cannot read black writing in white paper (first we've heard of this)
His short term memory and concentration are really bad - he is a ditherer too, if there s long way and a short way, Ds2 will go the long way.
He sometimes struggles to get his point or a story over when talking
He often complains of tummy aches and headaches when reading or writing
He also soemtimes cannot graps immediately when he's given instructions

Now it could jsut be me being over sensitive, as we've had abit of a torrid evening with him. Dh has been trying to get him to write parapgraphs from a magazine out, on lined paper, to try and improv ehis handwriting (this was before we'd re-thought Dyslexia) and he was getting very upset,and we'v had tears and all sorts.

I would take him to a Behaviour Optometrist first as it sounds like he may have some vision problems. (google BABO)

We recently went to the GP with DS(7) as he was starting to fall behind in his writing. His teacher picked up on this and asked SENCO to get him assessed, but she said we needed to go through the GP. I worried that me might be dyspraxic as opposed to dyslexic and he was seen within 6 weeks by a paediatrician who referred onto lots of people. We have just had the report back from the specialist teacher who observed him at school which says he has "Specific learning difficulties" in fine-motor control, spelling and writing.

We have had lots of strategies advised for him as a result of the reports.

He might be dyslexic. What is his spelling like? Dyslexics can learn to read well but are usually slow to learn initially. Usually dyslexic's spellings are terrible. Look at Dyslexia Action's website for advice. Get him assessed by an Ed psychologist. It costs but LEAs don't tend to test. Don't listen too much to his teachers as IME they know nothing about dyslexia. Good luck.

You could also try your local Dyslexia Association. Ours has a computer screening test that they offer and it is very cheap. A full diagnosis can be very expensive.

You should find the following webpage helpful -it's aimed at parents, fully referenced and gives a comprehensive overview of struggling readers/dyslexia assessment at the present time:

Should I have my child assessed?
www.dyslexics.org.uk/should_I_have.htm

Does anyone know if an LEA is obliged to test a child for dyslexia? My DCs school is completely disinterested in dyslexia testing.