DS1 aged 6 - just diagnosed moderate dyslexia - what next?

[carocaro]

I knew there was something and he had a test at school with the SENCO. Question is, what do we do next? His teacher spends lots of extra time with him, and he has seperate sessions with 2 other boys with a classroom assistant, he also has termly targets with an IEP. We do stuff at home, but it all seems a bit cobbled together. Private lessons at £35 per week/taking him out of school seems extreme, he loves school and is very enthusiastic. His teacher says little and ofter burst of reading, spelling etc etc, keep it manageable and balanced.

Any ideas from Mums of other with this issue?

Hello Carocaro

You can ask the LEA for a SA.

David
[email protected]
(hmmm heres wondering how long this message lasts before it gets deleted - ouch it hurts being chopped all the time)

Perhaps join your local dyslexia group which has details of local courses, talks and advice etc.
THere are specific literacy courses for children with the dyslexia - the school may be working through one - ask what their programme is
The government's national strategy on dyslexia is in schools at the moment which is full of good practice - ask if the school has had training in it.
THe Dyslexic Institute has details of different ones for various ages or look on the British Dyslexia Association website.
Wordshark computer programme is specifically designed for children with dyslexia and they seem to love it.
Lots of self esteem building as children with dyslexia can loose confidence as they get older - good luck

oh yes - get a full assessment from an educational psycologist which will identify your son's strengths and areas of difficulty with literacy, organisation etc

Hello Carocaro

Our DD was 6 when we finally confirmed her moderate dyslexia. We were getting no firm diagnosis from the school with an NQT in Year 1 who didn't really understand dyslexia or dyspraxia symptoms.

We finally took the initiative and had DD assessed by an Educational Psychologist. Expensive but worth it. Really gave us a clearer picture of what her strengths and weaknesses were and where we needed to apply the extra time and effort. It also reaffirmed our faith in her abilities.

We felt at age 6 it was too young to do too much extra as we wanted her to enjoy school and she was also getting extra help in school. Little and often is the right approach at that age I agree.

However now she is in Year 4 we do see a dyslexia tutor weekly and this extra input is invaluable.

We also explained to DD about her dyslexia and gave her the self knowledge she needed to preserve her self confidence, i.e. we tell her that she is bright, she does have a good brain, she is capable and can produce good work but she will find it difficult if it involves numbers, sequencing, hand written etc.

Sorry if this is a long reply but it feels like just yesterday we were where you are now.

I suggest you read this webpage

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

• and this one:

The Options www.aowm73.dsl.pipex.com/dyslexics/should_I_options.htm

HTH

thanks everyone, I think we will have a full assesment done in the next few months, via people at Dyslexia Action, not cheap at £450, but I figure it is worth digging deep than having a long process with school/LEA etc etc.

He has met all the targets on his IEP this term which is great.

We have also purchased Work Shark for home which we should get soon.

Thanks Lintfree, I also think he is too young to be taken out of school at the moment, also great explanation to your daughter.

So we will see what the assesement brings.

Thank You,

Re - maverick
Having my son assessed was the best thing I could ever have down.
Before he felt "stupid, thick" and his self esteem was rock bottom. He hated school.
Once he was assessed he began to recognise he was a bright boy with lots of strengths [ which the assessment showed] but he was dyslexic with problems with writing and spelling which could be helped with specific strategies. The school also, could see his potential. Through the assessment he is able to have the tools to assist him in secondary school
We were also able to talk about all the successful people with dyslexia and how the dyslexia contributed to their success in specific cases.
Despite intensive one to one phonic work, my son actually learnt to read by my mother teaching him a variety of strategies