If you have a DC with severe dyslexia ...

[velcroplease]

... could you describe what this looked like around age 8, especially if their dyslexia was deemed severe enough for a specialist dyslexia school?

DS is aged 8, can write very badly but possibly to make it out. Spells most words (apart from very simple ones) phonetically (and often hilariously). He is reading ORT level 6 but not fluently and struggling over less familiar words.

EP report from 6 months ago described it as mostly in lowest percentiles and has recommended a dyslexia school placement. We are considering this for next year. I just wondered if anyone had any feedback on what their own child’s ‘severe’ dyslexia looked/looks like at this age? How bad is truly bad enough for a specialist placement? His own school give some extra help but always emphasise his ‘progress’ when in reality the gap with peers is widening as they are reading Harry Potter and he’s reading Biff Chip and bloody Kipper. Any and all advice welcome

Yes I do have experience. We are several years further down the line. Please feel free to pm me.

Thank you greenlanes I have sent you a pm.

DS2 is like this at 9 - he is reading biff, chip and kipper orange band with difficulty and struggles to write a simple sentence. His understanding of the world is age appropriate.

We moved him to a specialist school at 8 as the gap between him and his peers was rapidly widening. It was affecting his behaviour and confidence.

Progress has been slow but he is happy and there is definitely progress in all areas.

A specialist dyslexia school has been all sorts of awesome for my daughter. When she started last year, at very nearly 8 she was ORT level 5 and as you say was getting frustrated that they were all on Harry Potter! So similar to your dc at 8 on level 6. Her reading has improved massively as has her writing (from barely legible to cursive) and confidence. Happy to answer any queries.