11yo DS just diagnosed with dyslexia - where to start?

[scarecrow22]

I have a 41-page report, full of detail of the tests, the results, recommended aids, recommendations to schools and parents, suggested videos to explain it to my son.... I understand the bits independently, but by the end my brain was scrambled.

His primary problems seem to be phonemes and short-term working memory. In practice it's reading and spelling. His maths is strong. He will start secondary school in September.

So if you have experience and time, can you tell me some basics:

1. What aids do you recommend to explain this to DS and help him not be unnecesssarily scared or upset?
2. What aids do you recommend for me as the parent who will have the most to do with helping him?
3. Do I need an EHCP to make sure he gets the help he needs at his new school?
4. Do we need a tutor (as suggested)? Or could I lead the work with him at home?
5. Either way, what are the best resources you used to help your DC?

Thank you so much, in advance. And good luck with your own journeys.

Whether you need to pursue an EHCP or not depends on DS’s needs and the support he requires. If DS requires specialist tuition, it sounds like an EHCP would be beneficial. You can obviously work with DS as well, but that wouldn’t usually be instead of specialist tuition.

Have you spoken to the secondary school’s SENCO? What support is DS currently receiving? Does he use any assistive technology and specialist software?

To learn more about the SEN system, it will be helpful for you to read IPSEA and SOSSEN’s websites and the SENCOP.

I've found the toe by toe book very helpful, if a little dry. There's also auditory memory skills by mark and Katy hill which was recommended by our assessor.

Thanks for these, please feel free to add!

@Brum, I only got the report on Monday night, so I have not yet sent it to the secondary school yet. I want to do a summary of the diagnosis and recommendations which relate to them: which includes 1:1 tutoring.

DD is already at the school and is ND, so they know me! Unfortunately I also know that they are patchy. I think they mean well but they are overwhelmed - aren't they all....

Don’t wait to contact the secondary SENCO. Do it ASAP.

1:1 tuition is unlikely without an EHCP.

Have a DD who is severely dyslexic and ADHD.

She was relieved to find out she wasn't stupid - her brain just works in a slightly different way.

Without an EHCP you will probably get zero help in secondary especially if your child is doing well enough that they will pass everything (even if well off their potential targets). The levels of SEN since Covid are so high that the departments can rarely function. If you get a school that does offer any support then you are doing well.

Things that have worked for us:

Touch-typing and starting secondary with a laptop from day 1. iPad with keyboard works out lighter-weight, smaller and cheaper.

Exam access arrangements - make sure you get these nailed down early.

Tutoring - DD has out of school tutoring for some subjects that we pay for.

Extra-curricular. If academics are likely to be a struggle, it's good to have some other hobby or interest that they excel at. Then they are not defined by school and the system.

Thank you @OhCrumbs and @Brum
Really useful hurry-on for me. Am trying to do this in parallel with ND daughter who clearly also needs an EHCP. DS doesn't cause fuss and trouble, so important to keep momentum on both. You are kind to share your experiences. This is totally new to my family in every direction! Though I have an honorary doctorate in MH and ND!!

PS are there any good websites with "games" to practice, or videos etc you have shared with DC?

Lots of DC with SEN find Wordshark helpful.

It is worth learning to touch type too. Kaz Neurodiverse Typing Tutor is good for that.

https://www.bdadyslexia.org.uk/advice/children