Dyslexia Action Experiences?-please help

[imonthefone]

dd has just gone into yr 3. The school picked up her dyslexia at the end of year 1, and she was a full year behind (so reception level not 1A, 1B or 1C)

The school is fantastic, class teacher last yr was fantastic, SENCO really supportive, they had a specialised teacher with her an hour a week. Teacher said she has put in SSOOOO much effort herself and is now reaching national average level

Weve seen some other professionals regarding ADHD assessment and also some Ed Pysch appointments for vvv mild PTSD...they all recommended that this is quite a crucial time to support her, so her self-esteem doesnt suffer and as a consequence, her education...

So..she went for her first appointment with Dyslexia Action. She is supposed to come out of school and go for an hour weekly. She was really excited about it. Shes quite loud and proud about being dyslexic!

She hated it!. she came out 10 minutes before the end under the pretence of wanting a drink, and REALLY didnt want to go back in. She cried and cried and was adamant she is NOT going back. She cant tell me why. It is completely out of character. She has such enthusiasm for everything and never kicks up a fuss. I could make her go back, or probably persuade her over the week...but...BUT....

it isnt going to be useful, is it if she hates it?! Also, it costs a fucking fortune-i dont want that to be an issue, but it is...I dont want to talk her into going back twice-she still hates it-then weve paid and lost £455 for the term!

She is my first child so I have no experience of children in school. I have no experience of dyslexia. Is the support the school are giving her enough? Or does she need this??

Im going to send DA an email, saying all this, but would appreciate your experiences and wise words. Please

and thanks for reading

The school won't help - but neither will dyslexia action.

You want to find and cure her underlying problems - not just do more 'learning' - which is all school and dyslexia action offer.

Dyslexia is caused by a combination of:

• Dietary problems
• Neurodevelopment problems
• Vision problems
• Auditory problems.

All of these things can be fixed - but only by you. Neither school nor DA can't help you with any of these things.

You could ask if DA will hold the place for next term. Meanwhile try to figure out the core issue making her hate it so much. As indigo says, there might be more to her dyslexia than meets the eye.

thanks for your replies. I think weve addressed most of those things indigo ; sight and hearing checked regularly. She is under a paedeatrician and also sees a chiropractor who specialises in children; she has lots to say about ADHD/ dyslexia etc.
Diet-we havent seen any kind of professionals; she takes omega 3 and vitamins-i think i noticed a difference with this, but whos to say...she stays away from artifical colours/flavours and her diet is generally healthy although her appetite is small. She eats like a wild animal! she can go days/weeks just nibbling then spend a day or 2 devouring everything in sight!

I disagree hat the 'school wont help' They really really have helped. The specialised teachers they have in are gold

She does loads of sports and EC activities, which she enjoys and is good at-so there is not an over enthasis on academic work at all

That is my feeling zzzzzz about primary school-but that belief has been rocked by having dd with dylexia. I just want her to reach her potential. I dont want to let her down

bumping...hoping people have something to add

Had a reply to my email. Agreeing that it probably wouldnt be beneficial to take dd if it upsets her; saying she didnt show any signs of being unhappy in lesson/to teacher

Email seem mainly concerned with the finances...saying that if we arent going to attend the lessons, a new invoice will be raised for the cost of the initial assessment which is what the first lesson is....

Oooo...I dont know....shall I wait until she is in difficulties before I force the issue? She seemed more open to the idea of going back, when I spoke to her this morning....

Dear imonthefone

I work for Dyslexia Action but I am also a parent and I am myself dyslexic and therefore my comment is my own personal view and not that of Dyslexia Action.

I am concerned that your daughter had an upsetting experience when visiting a Dyslexia Action Centre. Dyslexia can impact on confidence and self-esteem without additional things to cause worry and/or distress. On this note if you wanted to get in touch with me directly I can see what we can do to rectify this - Kerry Bennett (01784 222312 and/or [email protected]).

It is important to get to the root cause (as stated above) and indeed one size never fits all and what is helpful and supportive to one dyslexic person is not necessarily helpful to another. Dyslexia is caused by small difference in how language information is processed and is linked to memory, coding and decoding (neurological in origin); but what underpins it is a lack of phonological awareness - the ability to be able to convert letter combinations to sound. This is something that multi-sensory tuition is proven to help with and I have had lessons as an adult myself.

There is no quick fix and dyslexia is a part of who you are but as someone else said above there are a number of things that can be done to support weakness, often using strengths, and in many cases difficulties can be overcome. I would hate to think your daughter's bad experience would set her back and dyslexia need not, and should never be, a barrier to success and achievement.

However, the more pressing matter is what has caused your daughter to not enjoy her session and make sure she gets the support that best meets her needs.

Please do get in touch and I will endenvour to help if I can.

With warmest wishes,
Kerry Bennett

kerry that is so kind, thank you
I will send you an email, later on when I am home from work
thank you