dyslexia -diagnosis? How does this happen

[MrsPurple]

Very long story but to cut to the chase DD2 is now in Year 2 and still not really reading. She's just gone onto level red but is really struggling.

We have changed schools last term as the old one were not helpful at all and the new one seem on the ball but it is early days.

When DD2 was 4 we were told she was strong candidate for dyslexia and dyspraxia. It's been a trying few years and we now have passed the upset, anger etc and accept our lovely DD is what she is and live with some of her quirky traits.

With regard to education she had IEP and school action plus at old school and I wondered if anyone has been down this route (we had pushed but got nowhere hence changing schools). What is the process that should follow? Her current teacher (who is lovely and helpful) says se is very behind and they are looking at IEP (she's only been there 6 weeks so don't want to be too pushy), but DD2 was really upset at the weekend as she said 'she's not normal because she is below everyone on reading - she is obviuosly just starting to notice, this was also combined with upset re a worm dying (she takes everything very literally.

Sorry very long

My son has suspected dyspraxia and I think dyslexia too, I approached the teacher about the dyslexia and she said they wait until primary 3 before testing as a lot of children still get their letters mixed up until about primary 3 because they are still learning.

MrsPurple

Developmental dyslexia is a man made problem about having problems with a man made communication system the visual notation of speech, or decoding and recoding the graphic symbols society chooses to represent the sound of speech.
Dyslexia is language dependent (the underlying causes of the dyslexic symptom vary due to the variations of the cognitive skills required to perform the tasks of reading and writing in different languages)

There are three cognitive subtypes of developmental dyslexia; auditory, visual, and attentional. which means that an auditory processing disorder , a visual processing disorder, an attention disorder, or any combination of the three can cause the dyslexic symptom.

Ideally dyslexia should be assessed by a multi - discipline team consisting of an audiologist, optometrist, and a psychiatrist. However we are still stuck with the UK dyslexia industry preferred option of an Educational Psychologist, who is not qualified to assess or diagnose any of the underlying cognitive deficits, disorders that can cause the dyslexic symptom.

Dyspraxia is in research terms i now better known as Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD)

You need an EP to get an official diagnosis of dyslexia.

But be aware that the diagnosis won't necessarily help your DD - ie it's not as if school are going to suddenly change what they're doing because she has dyslexia, they are probably already doing everything they can and should be doing for her.

There is nothing special you do for children who have dyslexia, as compared to any other child who is struggling at school.

One of the many definitions of dyslexia is 'struggles with reading and / or spelling despite adequate teaching' - therefore it's reasonable for you to assume your child does have dyslexia.

If I were you (and I was) I'd assume your child does have dyslexia, and start deciding what you want to do about it.

Generalist help for mild cases:-

In my area they have a specialist literacy team (STEPS - no idea what the acyronym means!) DS is being assessed in school this morning.

It's not the responsibility of the Ed Pysch round here. Only schools can refer and they don't do so under 7 because of maturity. For EP or specialist literacy team (STEPS) only way to a referral is via the school unless you pay to go private.

Cross cos I'm not allowed to be there! We know DS's "dyslexia/dyscalcula" is related to his poor audtory processing. Therefore any strategy to help him will only be effective if this is taken into account. I'm worried the school will say it's attentional as his anxiety is often mistaken for adhd by people who don't see hiim in the home environment.

Diet can also help all 3 causal issues in v. mild cases. Eye Q has clinical positive results for exuective function.

Root causes:-

Often school can help with specialist advice, & a "Dyslexia" diagnosis if the problem is only very mild.

If it is more severe then you need to address the root causes.

A visit to a visual ophtalmologist who can diagnose eye tracking issues can rule out/identify the visual cause. You can organise this yourself (You do need a specialist NOT a standard high street optican!). Physical excercises for the eyes, coloured sheets/lenses etc will be prescribed.

Audio processing isn't something my local audioligists deal with, but some areas can so check with your GP. Otherwise it's a trip to Gr Ormond St or similar. There are a variety of therapies for this, most can only be accessed privately.

Attentional is a pead - referral from GP. Watch out for a co-morbid diagnosis of add/dyslexia.

After that I suggest you do a seach on Indigo Bell's previous posts. She is a fount of knowledge on private therapies that may help.

Thanks everyone, been a long week so haven't been on the internet at all. I will look into everything you have all advised. :-)