evere dyslexia -anyone know what resources/support/good schools we might be able to access in south wales??

[vlnjm]

Our 10yr old son has always struggled with literacy in school and despite additional support provided by his primary school he's shown no progress at all over the past 5 years. we have just had an assessment by a clinical psychologist [that we arranged] which shows that he is in the bottom 1% of children with such difficulties.
We're due to meet the ed psych this coming week but i wondered whether anyone might know of anything in this area that we might be able to look into? I really feel like the education system has failed our son and i don't hold out much hope that they're gonna be any better in the future!!
any comments helpful
Frustrated!!!

Look here at Dyslexia Action - they have a branch in Cardiff.

thanks - i'll contact them - do you have any experience of them?

The branch near us is good - they have provided several children with very effective individual programmes of work (where the LEA will not) which our school have then put into practice. I know that they charge though, but not sure how much.

Hope you get some decent help for your ds soon.

The Dyscovery Centre in Newport is well worth contacting as well.

thanks for that link - just looked at their website - useful report by the enterprise and learning committee july 08 with some good recommendations - looks like the dyscovery centre is involved with some further work following these recommendations but as always these things take time!! something children with this condition don't really have when the importance of early intervention and input is well accepted.

can i ask what your experience is of the centre?

Have a look at the web site for "crested schools" - these are schools with a special interest in dyslexia. Most are independent schools - but can be named in an educational statement.

Did the Ed Psy mention about the need for a statutory assessment? - this process collects information from parents and other professionals - pre statement. If this hasnt been mentioned already you can make a formal request for this process to start - see IPSEA web site.

From personal experience I know how frustrating, stressful and emotionally devasting this situation can be. Our DS reading, spelling and working memory scores were less than the 1st centile and his confidence/self esteem was at rock bottom. It took about a year to secure an adequate statement that reflected his educational needs - he now goes to a crested school and is making progress, his confidence is growing and he enjoys school. He has his childhood back.

Unless you know this system very well you need some support to get you through the hurdles - IPSEA were brilliant - they have a web site and telephone advice lines - they will keep you on the right track. It is also worth having a hard copy of the SEN Code of Practice for Wales. You can get this by tel: 02920826078, email [email protected] or visit the website www.wales.gov.uk

Good luck!

Just to back Atilla''s suggestion of the Dyscovery Cnetre; they shre a University dept with the people running my MA in asd and seem excellent.

However they are also expensive as as someonoe with 3 kids with SN ? SEN haven't used them myself (2 X ASD; 1 X dysprqaxia / dyslexia).

Depending on where you are in South Wales (or if you are happy to stay over a few nights) BIBIC also run dyslexia assessments for a cheaper cost- atm they are running £50 assessments I understand. We live close to the Dyscovery centre and getting to BIBIC is easy, about 50 minutes on the motorway, and you only go twice a year so not too big a commitment.

I'd be looking at both to be honest.

My DD is dyslexic - though not as severe as your son, but by the end of year 2 can only read 3 letter words.

We've just started easyreadsystem and so far are seeing very promising results. It's a bit early yet to say if it really is a mircale cure - but I certainly will be telling the whole world about it if it is

It is expenisve - but it does have an unconditional money back guarantee.

I am a Primary School teacher and have a dyslexic 6 yr old niece who has been struggling at school. After visiting Dyslexia Action we have started using Can Do Cubes. Early days but she is making good progress and really enjoys using them. The cubes are reccomended by the Dyslexia Institute which gave us some confidence in buying them.

www.candocubes.com/