All this talk of dyslexia reminded me of something I've been meaning to ask...

[Gales]

DS1 has a friend who "was" dyslexic. He was dyslexic all through his UK junior school. He left at the end of yr5 to move with his family to America.

When the family went to meet the head at the new school and discuss the boy's SN they were told "we don't have dyslexia in the US" and that he would be treated just like any other child, according to his ability.

Anyway boy is now back in the UK, in yr8 and does indeed no longer have dyslexia. Apparently all his difficulties in spelling and reading have resolved themselves and he's meeting all the national levels he should be.

So, what happened?

Perhaps ask the family? Perhaps the diagnosis here was wrong?

The family think the Americans are right and dyslexia doesn't exist! Mum thinks her ds was a victim of bad teachers making excuses for his lack of progress in UK

Dyslexia exists. He may have been misdiagnosed and just needed support. Or, with only mild dyslexia, you can overcome a great deal of it - a close friend of mine had real trouble as a child but with intensive tutoring he now copes very well with only minor issues and is highly successful.

So,what do they do differently in US? Is it generally not recognised to exist, or was it just this school?

Whatever, they've achieved things with
him UK teachers thought weren't possible. He was getting 121 support (for short periods) and making no progress. Now he reads and writes as well as his peers.

No idea what happens in US - shall ask my friend who went to uni there. I'd be curious myself as always happy to take on board new ideas which work.

And great that he has progressed so far!

She says it must just have been that school as she worked with several people who were very dyslexia aware. She thinks they do better than UK in general cos more supportive. She did add though that the downside can be the students there are in her opinion sometimes "overcoddled" and then don't cope as well at uni!

Myself I'd like to hope there was a good middle ground where you teach independence but support the individual needs..!