Writing difficulty - poss dyslexia at secondary level - any experience/suggestions?

[DaphneD]

DS, 12 y, has always had difficulty with writing ? output is very slow and laboured and spelling and self-esteem about writing low Finds it hard to get words/ideas from head and into writing, though averagely bright, so grades in written subjects poorer than they should be. Computer screening at school suggests dyslexic traits. Not getting help at school other than encouragement / a little group work. Anyone have experience of effective help for slow laboured writing, either at school or at home. It seems to be a processing problem, rather than a physical difficulty with writing, so working on the laptop is no quicker.
Any advice? What can we do in the holidays to boost him up? What could we ask the school to do?

Thanks for the reply. Maybe you can give me an idea of the type of thing that might help.
I am trying to gather ideas/positive experiences at this stage.

Daphne. See if you can get a referral to a paediatric Occupational Therapist (you can ask your GP to refer you) who will be able to assess his issues with writing and advise the school on what they should do to help. You could also get an assessment privately which would be quicker but obviously will cost.

There are many private tutors who will help students with dyslexic issues. You could try Dyslexia Action who will offer specialist tutoring. If you are in Greater Manchester, feel free to PM me as I know a great tutor who works with students having the issues you describe.

Although processing language is the biggest problem my DS has to use a laptop to remove the scribbles omissions and it also helps with ordering things and moving things that have been put in the wrong place. Writing is the biggest problem we have.

You could also look at the mind map books by Tony Buzan . they teach great "pictorial" ways of organising and remembering thoughts which can be really useful for dyslexic students.

If I were you I would try to get a formal diagnosis. Then the school will have to put him on School Action Plus and do an Individual Education Plan for him. They will be legally obliged to give him extra help in school and he could get extra time in exams.

I paid for a diagnosis with my eldest son (it cost about £400) and now I am asking the school to have my 2 younger ones assessed. If the head refuses I will take the matter up with the governors and the LEA.

I am encouraging him to learn touch typing, but he doesn't seem to write faster on computer than by hand. He has been on School Action in Y7, but has not been seen by any educational psychologists, only had a basic dyslexia screening test at school. He doesn't get any specific help. Does OK in maths, but is falling behind in written subjects and lacking confidence.
educatingarti - I will look for the mind map books and will look into dyslexia support groups.
Migsy - once you had the "diagnosis" did the school give any more effective help for writing? I am interested in what way a formal "diagnosis" results in actual support extra to what you get otherwise. Reluctant to go down that route if it does not add to the support, but just "labels" him. If it is useful, I could push for EP testing.
lelly - have you found anything that particularly helps with writing?
Has anyone else have examples of what has worked for boosting writing skills in their poor/slow/possibly dyslexic writers?

Dapne The school told me that there was nothing wrong with him and that he was just slow with reading and writing. In fact, one teacher told me that he would not get any extra help because there were other children in the class that needed it more. Once I got a formal diagnosis the school had to put him on School Action Plus - This means that they have to give the child extra help and write an IEP. You get more help on School Action Plus than School Action. I would say the diagnosis has been very useful for my DS.
Also, with a diagnosis, if your child goes to Uni he will be entitled to disability living allowance whilst studying.
A diagnosis also gets you more time in exams which is crucial for children who have problems writing and processing information.
Personally, I think a diagnosis opens doors.

I should add that he didn't get extra help with handwriting but the school gave him extra help with reading, spelling and punctuation etc.

I also got him a specialist tutor which also helped.

I afraid the automaticity of writing just doesn't seem to work for my DS if you watch him the letter formation is poor, so that takes away concentration from what he's actually writing. The speed on the laptop does improve you just have to keep at it. Once things are down on paper they can't be corrected and everything is a scribbly mess. He gets tenses mixed up as well!
With a diagnosis you can get extra time in exams and understanding within the lesson that work isn't always going to be finished.

Thank you lelly and migsy for your helpful replies.

Hi I hsve the exact problem with my younger ds. ds1 has been diagnosed as dyslexic but I think ds2 is dyspraxic as he doesn't have problems reading just getting his thoughts on paper and writing. ds1 has reading problems too. His report says he should be on SA+ I sm waiting to see what secondary will do as primary have done nothing although he was only recently diagnosed at the end of year 6.
It is harder to test for dyspraxia. Does your ds struggle with reading too? If he doesn't he is less likely to be dyslexic. ds1 also has vision issues.
I think I will pay to have ds2 assessed as his school won't help him and because he is bright he isn't behind enough to warrant help even though his writing is 2+ years behind his reading, maths and other subjects.