New diagnosis of dyslexia - what to read? How to help?

[dairymilkmonster]

Hello. After reading great advice on the education forum last year about ds1 age 7 (just started yr3) who appeared normal or even bright at times, but whose writing/spelling is appalling and was dropping behind at school. Ds can read but doesn't get phonics at all.He has lost confidence, has tantrums about homework and is very emotional and anxious. DH and I are exhausted.

We saw an OT in the spring who diagnosed mild dyspraxia. That was helpful and school put in support and his writing has improved, but there were still issues. At the schools advice we have seen an educational psychologist and a paediatric neuropsychologist this summer. DS now has diagnoses of:

• the dyspraxia we knew about
• dyslexia (moderate severity, whatever that means)
• sensory processing disorder

DS had an overall IQ that was well above average, which I was quite surprised by given his performance - I think dyslexia could be a significant part of his difficulties,

We are processing this news and are not sure what to read or how to help. School are organising things and we have a meeting with the head, senco, class teacher in 2 weeks.

Any advice on what to read/do/ask school??????

Hi,
Just to clarify a few things - moderate dyslexia is actually a high level of difficulty. The word moderate sounds low level usually but on the dyslexia scale it's just below severe. It sounds like the school is working with you, which is great. They need to be working out what individual, specific programmes he will need to address the phonic difficulties. My suggestion would be Toe-by-Toe, which is quick and easy to deliver. It's also important that they consider his vocabulary development and comprehension as they can fall behind if the only focus is on decoding.

Thanks, that is helpful.
I am totally clueless about dyslexia. I've ordered some books, for us and two for ds to improve his understanding.
I think ds has learnt to read my word recognition - rather mysteriously he apparently passed the yr1 phonics check! I'm suspicious his yr1 teacher was not quite on the ball.
Any other tips most welcome.