Dyslexia, something else, or nothing, WWYD

[TeenAndTween]

Adopted DD is 10.5 and in y5. 7 weeks premature.
BM has learning difficulties, elder sister has dyspraxia confirmed age 15.

• Poor (atrocious) spelling, wouldn't look out of place in y2
• Reading is OK, but she is 'stuck' as she seemed to avoid pages with too much text, so she stays with books with larger print and/or lots of pictures. Hardest books read are the David Walliams ones.
• Poor motor skills OT assessed with DCD. Handwriting passable though.
• Counts on fingers mainly, times tables patchy despite practice.
• Fluency & clarity of speech behind her peers, had SALT when younger
• Difficulty with time concepts, both telling time and relative events like yesterday or tomorrow
• Avoids sitting to do schoolwork with me if at all possible

Seems brighter than schoolwork shows. Is a good day to day problem solver, and shows more general awareness of life around her than her sister ever did at the same age. Doesn't 'shine' at anything.

School generally don't seem too bothered, she not the worst in the class. But I can't help thinking she should be managing better than she is considering environment at home.

I'm concerned about secondary a year from now.
But I don't know what to ask from the school or whoever.

Something to be explored? Just not very bright?
Any suggestions on how to proceed?

An adopted child is now equa to a child who is looked after and has the right to their first choice of secondary school. The school should receive extra money for him and they should be providing extra help. I would insist on an assessment by educational psychologist and some 1:1 teaching support for your child. Why on earth are the school so uninterested? You describe some specific areas of difficulty. Gird up your loins and reare to become a pushy, demanding, difficult parents and don't stop until you get what you want.Go to senco and headteacher.
Also worth considering a private tutor as long as they have experience of special needs. I am one myself and I know there are others out there.

Thanks Tissie.

She is getting extra support with spelling, and also some exercises for the DCD, (and also ELSA support).

I think the time has come to be pushy, I'm just not sure what to push for! So maybe Ed Psych is the place to start? You do agree there is something there to be looked at? I'm never sure whether my expectations are too high. I don't want to push her more than she is capable, but I want her to have help, especially if there is a clear issue blocking progress.

It took us until y11 to get clear confirmation of dyspraxia for her sister, I first raised issues in y6 (2 years after placement), and I really don't want DD2 to have to wait that long if there is something to be found.

There are clearly issues and I do not feel you are expecting too much. Insist on an ed psych assessment and while you are waiting ask the school for a standardised assessment of your daughter's reading and spelling such as Neale Analysis of Reading and WRAT spelling test (there are many other tests out there). Do not rely on SAT test scores as there are wide parameters and too easy to teach to.
I think a diagnosis of a specifc condition is not as vital as a detailed description of her strengths and difficulties. Once you have this you can push the school for an IEP and details of how they will meet her needs.
Good luck.

Thanks

Do you know what her current national curriculum levels are assessed as?

No I don't have levels, I suspect they are 3c/3b.
Last time we had them (end y4 or early y5) I was surprised at how high they had the writing one considering her lack of spelling and punctuation and the feedback I see on Primary when people post examples to be levelled.

In a fortnight we go in for work-sharing (and DD1's exams will be over).
I will see then what she manages in school. I think I will then

• raise concerns
• ask for current reading & spelling age
• ask for current levels (or replacements)

With a view to at least then suggesting dyslexia screening.

DD has eye test this week, I'll ask the optician whether they can do any tests regarding coloured filters and tracking.

Actually, maybe I'll ask for reading and spelling age assessments straight after half term to get the ball rolling.