Screening for dyslexia/dyspraxia

[thetwigletsmum]

My 8yr old daughter is finally being screened for dyslexia/dyspraxia after a long struggle. Once this has taken place, does anyone know what the next step for us is?

Nothing.

A dx of dyslexia normally brings no help at all. That's why you've had to fight so hard to get it. It's totally worthless.

Your next step is the same as It was before the screning test.

Work out why your child is struggling, and help her with that.

I've written up things you can do here:

www.dyslexiaadvice.co.uk

Can't believe there is nothing after screening! Might as well as left things alone and let her be a 'low ability child'. Ridiculous! Surely if dyslexia or dyspraxia is indicated then there must be a 'next step'. Can't accept it's worthless and I will continue to fight for my daughter.

thetwigletsmum

It really depends on what you want from the results of the screening. If you want all frills support programs to provided which is a dream some may have, then you will be disappointed. There are some who continually seek the magic bullet.
What you will get is the first steps to understanding the issues your DD has been living with since birth. Dyslexia is a man made problem about having a problem using a man made communication system the visual notation of speech. There are three possible cognitive subtypes of Development dyslexia, auditory, visual, and attentional. Which means that an auditory processing disorder, a visual precessing disorder, an attention disorder, or any combination of the three can cause the dyslexia symptom. So if your DD is assessed has being dyslexic the next step is to begin to identify the specific underlying deficits / disabilities that are causing her dyslexic symptom. Each cognitive subtype of dyslexia requires different forms of support, which really depends on the alternative compensating skills your DD is able to develop and use.

Research is still ongoing as to discovering the issues that can cause dyslexia so there are no magic cures, but there are many programs with good marketing, the quack programs of the private sector, always after your money, and not scientifically proven.

The problem in the UK is the lack of teacher training with regard to understanding these issues, and the cost of support provision which would require an increase in tax somehow to cover the costs, which is never a political acceptable. The other problem has been that dyslexia in the UK has always been dominated by the marketing needs of the UK dyslexia industry which is not the same thing as the needs of actual dyslexics, although the dyslexia industry tries to make that claim.

AAAH just wrote a long post and it disappeared.

Basically, there is not much out there, Dd3 is getting some support through school but even they are struggling to get people in to see her.

I agree that you need to continue fighting for your Dd and if your school is a good one like Dd3's you might get lucky.

Sorry if that makes you sad.

I didn't say you should stop fighting for your DD. I said that a label of dyslexia won't help your DD.

You and school have to work through all your DDs difficulties and address each one of them. A label of dyslexia provides no clue as to how to help her.

Is screening being done at school or is it an assessment via a paed? Schools in themselves are rarely equipped to offer support on their own. The former may not get you very far beyond reading recovery schmes but the latter may get referrals for OT. Agree with indigo thoguh that you need to identify the specifics of the problem - visual tracking, poor muscle tone, core strength, hyperflexibility etc, sensory, concentration issues, distractibility, memory issues, auditory processing and so on - then use the outcome of screening/assessments to develop exercises and strategies to help. However you may need ot be very persistent if it seems likely she has either one , or both.

I feel as though I just need her needs to be identified to me so I can understand the best course of action. I agree that that there are several areas that will need working on ie her motor skills, her handwriting, the lack of concentration, the inability to remember and understand a simple list or some instructions. I just need help understanding my daughter who is both happy and brave.

What are her difficulties?

And how old is she?

Sounds more like dyspraxia than dyslexia tbh. Your gp might be a better route to take, however you may need an Ed Psych report to help you gain a better understanding along those lines, and you may end up having to pay for a private one unless it is deemed to affect her significantly by the school.

thetwigletsmum
"I feel as though I just need her needs to be identified to me so I can understand the best course of action. I agree that that there are several areas that will need working on ie her motor skills, her handwriting, the lack of concentration, the inability to remember and understand a simple list or some instructions. I just need help understanding my daughter who is both happy and brave."

The motor issues are part of Dyspraxia - Developmental Coordination Disorder
"the lack of concentration", could be an ADHD related issue which now includes ADD, this could also be related to working memory, which can be overload when having to run coping strategies and coping with stress.
"the inability to remember and understand a simple list or some instructions", this could be part of an auditory processing disorder APD.

Both APD and ADHD are underlying causes of the dyslexic symptom.

Thank you, all of your advice has been helpful. I'm seeing the school nurse tomorrow to discuss her emotional development and I feel she is immature for her age.