Special schools for 8 year old with dyslexia + a bit of ADD and a bit of ASD

[Lynn6697]

Hi there,
Can anyone recommend which schools might be suitable for our 8 year old, currently statemented in mainstream, who has dyslexia + inattentive subtype ADHD and mild ASD (some soc communication difficulties and obsessive interests but good communicative intent and emotional reciprocity)? We're most interested in schools in Surrey or SW London, but would move (esp to Hampshire) for the right school outside those areas. We've tried Moon Hall but they declined - said they only take "pure dyslexics" and would not be suitable for dealing with our child's social communication needs (the ASD bit). I'm worried that we'll get the same response (i.e. non recognition of co-morbidities) from others on the Crested list
Many thanks

Seaford college?

www.sunnydown.surrey.sch.uk/surrey lea maintained special school for 11-16 year old boys with a mainstream curriculum. Their intake comprises boys with a communication disorder either arising from severe dyslexia or from an ASD. You would need to be resident in Surrey to have a chance of a place there.

Thanks Sunnydown looks right but we'd have to wait til our son is 11 whereas I feel like the earlier we intervene, the better for his progress and confidence. Seaford college does not appear to be a school catering for special needs. Our son's dyslexia is severe so I think we need a school where all the pupils are dyslexic and the teaching for dyslexia and for social communication difficulties is integrated into the every day life and curriculum (not a school with a specialist unit, pulling him out of classes)

Know a few people who's boys go here. They do take children with other dx, but not 'severe'. they can also start at 8 I think:
www.morehouseschool.com/

Lynn6697

you should try to identify all of the cognitive subtypes of developmental dyslexia causing your sons dyslexic symptom. There are three cognitive subtypes of dyslexia: auditory visual and attentional. So an auditory processing disorder (listening disability), a visual processing disorder, an attention disorder or any combination of the three can cause the dyslexic symptom.

You have mentioned possible ADHD which could be one of the contributory causes of his dyslexic symptom, and it could be possible that some auditory and visual processing issues could also be contributing to his social communication problems

Hi Dolfrog
Thanks, I've never heard of this perspective. How does one get a child assessed for which subtype he is? We actually have an EP assessment scheduled for end of this month. Would an EP be able to assess the deficit pattern behind our son's dyslexia?

Coogar
Thanks - are the children of your friends happy at More House? We visited and thought every child looked miserable. It seemed big, institutional and cold. But what can you tell really from a quick walk around campus? Better to get a view from people who go there.