Dyslexia or something else?

[Symphony830]

My son has had a Dyslexia Assessment by an EP and it revealed he had severe dyslexia along with ‘short term memory issues’, ‘executive function’, naming speed and a few other language issues.

His reading and spelling are consistently good and it’s this which has led to him only being diagnosed at age 10. He’s my only child so thought all kids forgot things constantly and were distracted etc… 😳

I just feel something is missing… that it could be something else.

We do have others in the family diagnosed with ADHD and Autism and I don’t see much to compare between him and them other than they are all fidgety and

Not sure where to go, but feel like he’s getting worse with the memory and executive function to the extent that I’d feel negligent if I were not to pursue this.

We are at the GPs for ongoing sleep issues. His sleep is poor quality as he continually wakes himself up snoring, snorting. Consultant says no sleep apnea but something is wrong here.

Just looking for any similar stories or any advice on what to do… feel lost at sea and not sure what I do next

Is his sleep still being assessed? What support is he receiving at school? Is he Y5 or Y6 and have you thought about secondary?

There's nothing wrong with being ND - however being treated as lazy or careless can have a huge impact on self esteem and mental health so my best advice would be to make sure he is at a supportive school.

Secondary is often much harder for kids with any executive function difficulties as much more is expected and constantly changing classroom/teachers can be a real struggle.

My advice would be to look for schools with experience in dyslexia with a reasonable percentage of SEN pupils who are receiving adjustments. Do you have an EHCP?

Thank you for very much for your reply @CompluterSaysNo

He’s got an appointment with the GP first thing on Monday morning. We’ve not seen the GP before…just a series of locums at the out-of-hours and a Surgeon in Ear, Nose & Throat (inspecting tonsils). Trying to get an overnight sleep study where he’s monitored with witnesses.

He’s got a year left at his current school and they are doing Word Wasp a couple of times a week with him and ensuring he remembers to bring homework home. His teacher was the first to bring up Dyslexia as my son reminded her of a pupil she once taught. I trust she is doing all she can - it’s a very small class (10). We will learn touch typing over the summer holidays.

An EHCP is only something that I’ve recently come across. School haven’t mentioned it, but I think they would support an application or I’ll do it myself.

I’m worried about secondary schools. Gravely worried. There are a couple of schools with Dyslexia Units; one is a selective private school and the other is a much in-demand Comprehensive. Both of them look very good, but realistically neither is feasible due to cost, distance from home and motorway traffic.

Apologies if I've got the timings wrong but if you are looking round secondary schools in Sept then I would specifically ask to see the SENDCO and find out what support is available for dyslexia and also explain anything your son is struggling with at primary.

I hope the GP is helpful on Monday. It's worth taking any notes/evidence you have of sleep disturbance, falling asleep at school, times/dates/durations of sleep problems and push for referral onwards (in our area it's Community Paediatrics that do sleep studies). If he is not sleeping well then concentration, memory and behaviour will all suffer.

We tried melatonin (bought online) for our son and it helped him settle to sleep really quickly but he also then woke very early in the morning so we don't use it any more. However many children fall asleep quicker and sleep for longer.

If you suspect ASD and ADHD speak to the GP &/or school about a referral. Both ASD and ADHD present differently in different people especially when alongside other diagnoses such as dyslexia so don’t rule them out just because DS isn’t like diagnosed family members. Another condition to consider is DCD. Although for some people dyslexia alone can cause the difficulties you describe.

Did the EP suspect further assessments? Has the school put in place the recommendations?

Yes, we’ll be looking around them in September. Sadly, not the ones with the dyslexia units. I’ll do a bit of research.

I’ve got a few videos to show the GP and will be pushing for the sleep study in a clinical setting. Spoke to the Unit and they’ve said GP can refer.

I will have a look into melatonin.

Thank you

Thank you.

I don’t suspect ASD and don’t know enough about the type of ADHD that doesn’t present as the more hyperactive variety.

DCD. I’ve had a look into the symptoms and other than the cross over ones with the Dyslexia can’t see he has this as he’s very sporty with good co-ordination. Did take a long time to learn how to effectively tie shoe laces.

The EP didn’t suggest any more assessments other than a repeat of testing when he is a little older. She was shocked that he’d reached 10 and it had
gone unnoticed. Said that he must have found his own coping mechanism and solutions along the way. She also stressed that I must ensure he has sufficient downtime before attempting homework and to ask for more time for this to be completed. We have done this as we get homework every night.

School are doing the Word Wasp and he’s been given an extra 25% time in tests.

What other support is the school providing? Request a meeting with the SENCO.

If homework is too much you could look to either stop it completely, cut it down, put a limit on the time whether the tasks is finished or not, or do some at school. If the school doesn’t already, they could also differentiate homework tasks.

School have given me an Additional Provisions Map and I’ve met SENDCO briefly. I’m not sure school could do more other than prompt him not to foeget
ti take things home. I know I need to do the touch typing with him but was waiting for schoolto finish before introducing more learning.

We’ve stopped some additional classes he was doing for the 11plus, so 4hrs less a week - and paused (until next year) the piece of homework that we came to dread the most - Reading Comp.

I’ve asked him if he wants to stop the 11 plus studies but he’s very keen to continue.

Did the EP report not make more recommendations?

The school could support DS more. If they are unsure how to them they should be requesting an EHCNA. They could also request advice from the specialist teaching service if your LA still has that service.

@BrumToTheRescue

Thanks for this … I will enquire about school getting an EHCNA. Is this something that would add weight to an EHCP or could I make that application myself (EHCP)?

The report is 27 pages long with much repetition. I revisited it last night. Processing speed, working memory, word lists, naming speed, difficulty with new words. There is a lot in the ‘working well below average’.

There’s a lot of links to websites offering support and ideas but I think they’re recommendations of what to do at home.

The EHCNA is the needs assessment you first request as part of the EHCP process. You can make the request yourself. IPSEA and SOSSEN are charities who support parents with SEN matters. On their websites, they have a lot of useful information, including model letters you can send to the LA to request an EHCNA. It is also worth reading the SENCOP.

It is poor if the EP report doesn’t make recommendations for support at school.