What age is dyslexia usually diagnosed at these days?

[zoggs]

My son has just been told he has dyslexia. He is in his 2nd year at university, well just finished it actually. Seems a bit late in the day to come to this conclusion and I'm wondering how he wasn't picked up earlier. Is this unusual these days?

I always knew there was something a bit different but he got 11 gcses (good grades) and equivalent of 3 A levels so it seemed pointless pursing a "label" when he wasn't really struggling academically. I feel guilty that I didn't push for this earlier now.

They routinely assess all children in our school at 7, however it'snot all unusual for it to be piced up at Uni or even much alter- dh is 37 and just being picked up.

I think that early identification of all sorts of SEN areas has a lot to do with it - 15 years ago, even 10 years ago it just didn't happen. Professionals weren't as aware, and parents weren't as knowledgable or willing/able to fight their corner as they are now.

please don't feel guilty! he seems to be doing v well now!

School suspected dyslexia at age 6 but wouldn't test until age 7 by which time he had caught up and was above avearge thanks to brilliant SN teacher (thanks Mrs D!)

At age 13 he was having awful problems with sequencing - still struggled with telling the time, months and even seasons of the year etc but could learn lines in a play and was doing a little professional tv acting. He couldn't even name the rooms of the house or household objects correctly but it was in an amusing way. It didn't seem quite right. School said there were deficits but not dyslexia, more likely dyspraxia even though he has beautiful handwriting and very good at sport. Semantic Pragmatic Disorder was mentioned. I didn't pursue it because all that would be offered was extra exam time and he always finished exams early so there seemed no point.

Wish I had pushed for more help now though.

I was diagnosed with dyslexia in January, and I am 33. In my area they do not look into it at all unless the child is severely behind, even now. A friend of mine has a son 7 and all they males in her family for generations have it and the school have refused to test his as he is not that much behind, which is I think is just stupid.
I can read quite well but struggle with what they call working memory and recall. I have been given coloured over lays and a program for my computer from college and it is amazing. The program changes the background colour of all programs on my computer to my designated colour, it is called screen tinter lite and can be down loaded free. I just googled it for my new laptop. I can not live without it now.

Have spoken to my son about this now. He has been told he has a specific language problem in that he cannot describe words that he understands. For example, he knows what "enthusiastic" means but is unable to explain it to somenoe else. Also, sometimes he has to use his finger to read or he loses his place on the page. Are these features of dyslexia?

Most definately, I have terrible trouble doing that. I know what thing mean but can not explain thm. It has been terrible having kids and trying to explain what things mean.

No scientifically valid tests are available that can differentiate dyslexics from other poor readers; 'After three decades as an educationalist, first as a teacher of children with learning difficulties, then as an educational psychologist and, latterly, as an academic who has reviewed the educational literature, I have little confidence in myself (or others') ability to offer a diagnosis of dyslexia.' (Prof. Elliott. TES) 'There?s only one question that really makes any sense: is my child behind in reading or spelling' (T. Burkard)

I suggest you use the assessments here:
www.aowm73.dsl.pipex.com/dyslexics/resources_and_further_2.htm and then act accordingly.

My son (age 6) is dyslexic and since last October he has been assessed on different areas like reading, counting, ordering, spelling, writing... He is having his eyes tested by a specialist at the end of the month. All of this started because I thought something was wrong : there is a very big difference between the way he builds is Legos or tells a story and the fact that he struggles to count to 20 and can't order the days of the week.
But then his school teacher, with the SENCO lady, took it all on board. They have organized appropriate help for him in class, they have arranged to get him referred to the specialist eye test.
The one very important thing to do at home is to feed him properly. A dyslexic brain works faster than average and dyslexic children are always on the go. He has a very healthy fat rich diet enriched with Cod liver oil. It helps a lot. He can focus better and his behaviour is all together calmer and more pleasant. He is already improving when a few months ago his teacher was concerned he was falling behind.

At the age of 29 I have just found out I am dyspraxic and have dyslexic memory. When I was at school we didn't have the luxury of Ed psy as we do today....Don't think the teachers would of had a clue to be honest because they proberly didn't know or have the training.Your son sounds like he is doing well though so if it isn't broke why fix it.....well done

I find most schools looking into dyslexia around 6/7 yrs, but one has to consider the reasons they are looking. Schools are largely only concerned with academic failure as their performance is measured by results and not 'every child fulfilling their own potential'. Your DS had excellent results, so even 10/20 years ago when dyslexia was becoming the diagnosis of choice (IMO), kids were only diagnosed if they were at risk of failure. Failure is judged by not achieving 5 GCSE's at grades C and above, even at 6/7 yrs this is what is being considered! (IMHO this is NOT failure, GCSE's are not the be all and end all and plenty of successful adults have gotten through life without adequate school qualifications - I am harbouring a latent rage at the minister who said kids should only consider work opportunities that require a suit - idjot).
This sounds pretty gloomy, but then again what is school about - every child reaching their potential OR every child passing the post and allowing parents to support a child fulfilling their potential. IMO the 2nd option is favourable: less tax and I get to support my child rather than an underpaid, overworked teacher who doesn't know my DS.