Beginning to worry that dd is dyslexic. Advice please, don't know what to do.

[StripeyKnickersSpottySocks]

Dd is 7 in a couple of weeks and in a mixed Yr1/2 class (she's actually in Yr2).

Now she reads well enough and the teacher said she's got a reading age of an 8year old. However I've realised that she although she gets the words right she is so busy concentrating on that, that she doesn't understand the story at all.

Every week they have a spelling test at school and she brings home about 10 words to learn. For the past 3 or 4 months she's been saying that the teacher has put her down to Yr1 for spellings. I wasn't sure what she meant but thought the words seemed quite easy (what, the, that). Although she doesn't find them easy.

At a parents evening last week (which I've posted about before) the teacher said she is now giving her Yr1 level spellings and that she's still struggling with them. The teacher says she is worried and asked if she has Extra Learning Support last year (she didn't). I asked if she thought dd needs ELS and teacher pulled a face and said no as we need to keep learning enjoyable for dd not to make it a chore. She then told me not to worry, which is a bit difficult after the teacher told me not to worry.

I just feel so frustrated and don't know what to do. I posted on the TES forum and teachers there told me that I ought to get dd tested for dsylexia/dyspraxia. She has a whole range of "soft markers" such as being extremely clumsy, can't get herself dressed, can't use a knife and fork, can't zip a coat up, doesn't know the months of the year, can't do shoe buckles up. I have to dress her in elasticated waist trousers all the time as she wouldn't cope with a button or zip. Likewise she can't wear skirts as she can't work out what she has to do when she goes to the loo - pulling knickers down and skirt up is too much. She has little self confidence. Struggles with ball thowing/kicking.

I am dreading talking to the teacher about this again as she was so dismissive last time I'm sure she will just fob me off. Can I insist she be tested or is it up to the teacher? Am considering maybe getting a private/indpendent educational psychologist to assess her if needed - I know I will have to pay for this.

Anyone any advice please.

It is expensive to get tested privately. Can you make an appointment to see the senco or head? Is she on the SEN register and if so at what stage?

She's not o nthe SEN register. Think I will have to go back and talk tothe teacher and if I don't get anywhere see the head.

Hi SS. If the teacher is worried she should be speaking to the SENCO about putting her name on the SEN register. If she hasn't done that, but has told you that she is worried about her attainment in a specific area, then you need to go back and ask her about it. Write a letter if you don't want to speak to her.

HI - do you have access to a movement therapist in your area who is familiar with working on "reflex integration" programmes - this is very supportive for children with all of the soft markers you spoke about. The therapist will come up with specific "exercises" to help integrate some of the primitive reflexes that we use as a baby to learn how to move and co-ordinate our body, develop our vision and sense of balance. When the reflexes aren't fully integrated there are very often learning difficulties to one degree or another.

you can see your GP or the school SENCO - bypass your teacher.

DS1 is getting assessed for dyspraxia and has alot of the same issues as your dd.

My children have dyslexia and its very obvious. Its not just about having problems with reading/writing, but getting the words completely muddled up. My children have to learn to recognise whole words rather than learn to read the usual way.

Fairymum - my daughter seems to be learning to read by whole word recognition rather than by phonics.

We spoke to a dyslexic advice centre and they said we could insist the school/ea assess her for free, but the drag their feet doing a case need plan, then have 6 months in which to do it, will postpone it if she shows any impreovement over those 6 months, etc. Basicly they said we'd be lucky if it was done this side of Xmas if at all.

So she's booked in to have it done privately next month. Ouch.

I second Scoroio's advice about going to the GP.

A lot of the things you say are very similar to my DD who has dyspraxia. She also struggles learning spellings. If I test her verbally she can do them, but when she tries to write them down she can't, so we have to practice writing them over and over again until she remembers them.

StripeyKnickersSpottySocks, sounds like she needs to be assessed. We have 2 dyslexic children in primary and we have really had to educate the school. Luckily I have many dyslexic people in my family and my children probably had an advantage that I knew quite a lot about it. We have bought our children a pc each and have insisted (fought) with the school for them to write on pc rather than hand. It doesn't mean they don't practise hand writing, but I don't want the fact that they are dyslexic set them back in terms of expressing themselves. It is very important to remember that dyslexic children/people know just as much and want to express just as much as others. Often they are stopped because they are expected to adjust to regular schooling and they are not regular learners as such. I have two severely dyslexic brothers, both now university lecturers. Good luck!

Thanks for the advice. We've made an appt to have her assessed by an educational psychologist. Am also going in to see the headmaster next week so fingers crossed we get somewhere.

my son has just been diagnosed with dyslexia and the process was very quick we are in derby and the school have so far been great. I was advised to go through the school as they do not have to accept an independant/private diagnosis and lots of schools wont so you still have to go through the school process.

Hi

Just wanted to say that spending money on an independent assessment is worth its weight in gold. Any assessment carried out by the LEA/School/NHS tends to be very 'shallow' and the recommendations are poor. A good independent assessment is 'in depth' and does not 'pull any punches' over what is needed.
Note when you do get an independent assessment, you can give a copy to the school and you should immediately go to school action+ (I do realise these are of limited value, but it does give short term targets/achievements regularly reviewed which is great evidence at Tribunal).

The earlier you can get a diagnosis of any problems and get some remediation the better

If you are still having problems with this, ring the SOS!SEN independent help line on 0208 538 3731

Sorry, I'm a bit late reading this, but please look at the following page if you have any worries that your child is dyslexic.
It could save you a lot of money!

Should I have my child assessed?
www.aowm73.dsl.pipex.com/dyslexics/should_I_have.htm

Hi, sorry to hear you are so worried about this. I need to let you know that in this area, the LEA refuse to accept any diagnosis of dyslexia that they haven't carried out, so we always try to disuade parents from paying out to have the tests done privately as there is no compunction on the LEA to act upon them! As to dyspraxia, I can do no better than to refer you to this website www.matts-hideout.co.uk as it is written by a young man who has dyspraxia.I first came across it several years ago when researching the condition and was fortunate enough to correspond with Matt for a while. It is well written from the most authoratative standpoint: that of someone who has it. Good luck.