DS (yr 6) Dyslexia - assessment?

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Really hope someone can help. My DS (now 11.5yrs) was screened in school at 8yrs and showed clear dyslexic tendencies. He was advanced in some areas - 90th centile for some aspects including cave and mobile (equivalent of an 11-12 yr old at 8 yrs old) and below 10th centile for reading writing and spelling. He was put on an IEP and support put in place and he progressed well.

He was then taken off the SEN list last year but has recently been put back on following my insistence at another screening test to see how far he's come. It's showed he is still advanced in some areas, and although the gap has closed a bit, but at 11.5 yrs he has the reading, spelling and writing ability of an 8-9 year old .

I really want a formal diagnosis (supported by GP as his self esteem is suffering) and to explore whether he should have extra time in SATs.

Can anyone please help me get up to speed on what I can do to make sure he's getting the right support through SATs and transition to secondary?

Ideally I'd like him to have a proper assessment so we know exactly what we're dealing with, and this would be supported by my GP as his self esteem is affected by thinking he's stupid compared to everyone else, and he is so not! (He does not hear anything negative from anyone else, but he is very aware of his differences to his peers, and especially now his younger sibling is overtaking him) so it's all coming from within, which is heartbreaking).

The Senco has said it would be unheard of to have him assessed by the local authority for dyslexia, and very hard to get extra time in exams, since the parameters have changed recently. I am not in a good position financially to be able to do an assessment independently, and feel like I'm floundering at finding the right information to ensure he gets all the support he needs to reach his potential.

Grateful for any advice

My son has dyslexia and visual processing disorder. I recognise exactly what you have described, especially the self esteem issues dyslexia brings.
I was fortunate enough to be in a position to pay for a private assessment. My parents, mil and DH and I split the difference.
However, whilst at an eye test at Boots, I mentioned my son’s dyslexia. He recommended the Institute of Optometry as a good place to get screening. I don’t think they charge nearly as much for assessments as a private EP.
I would also suggest contacting The British Dyslexia Association and the Helen Arkell centre for further advice.
Don’t give up. Keep pushing with the Senco.
You can also go down the GP route and make a fuss about your son’s mental health and the implications of his difficulties.
Good luck!

Thank you Hearts

I have a feeling I'm going to have to dig deep and raise the money somehow. I will get in touch with the Helen Arkell Centre and Dyslexia Association, I definitely feel the need for some back up as to what support he actually needs. That's interesting re Optometry - I will pursue that too!

I hope your son is progressing well following assessment - do you mind me asking how you think having the assessment has helped in the main? I keep hearing from the school that it won't make any difference to the support he'll get, as it will be put in place for him just being on the SEN list, but for some reason I feel very wary as I've seen how easy it is for them to take them off the list again.

Hello.
I had a similar battle with our school initially. The senco said there was no point having an assessment done.
However, the EP did a very thorough job and wrote a detailed report which they couldn’t argue with. She made recommendations, which have subsequently been put into my son’s plan. The EP we had also had a special interest in children’s mental health.
My son is progressing very slowly, despite all the extra support. The dyslexia is moderate but his main barrier now is the state of his mental health. He had become extremely anxious about school and will occasionally work himself up to the point he refuses to go in. We have a real battle on our hands! My son is working roughly two years below the expected standard so the school are looking into an EHCP. I have also contacted CAMHs but I know they are overwhelmed so not sure how long it will be until we are seen.
Our EP assessment cost £750. It was in my mind, money well spent. Nevertheless, it’s a lot of money to shell out.
Please feel free to pm me if you have any other questions.

Thank you Hearts, I'll pm you