school disputes diagnosis

[Badger7]

My DS, age 6 has been diagnosed as having Attention Difficulties and Visuo-Perceptual Difficulties (Dyslexia), by a hospital Paediatric Consultant who is also a Learning Difficulties Consultant. He did warn me that teachers often dispute this sort of Dyslexia (apparently there are loads of different types) as the child can read well. The difficulty shows when getting information from the brain down the hand onto the page. He also has a lot of difficulty with drawing or anything judging scale.

When I went to school to discuss how they could help him next year in P3, they informed me that they had done a computer screening which showed he was not Dyslexic. The result sheet showed him to be below average in the 'visual' part of the test, which to my mind goes along with the diagnosis. They also said he couldn't have Attention Deficit as he is polite and not jumping about.

The consultant spoke to me last week and said that if the school treat him as if he is simply not trying hard enough rather than helping him cope with his problems it could have negative effects on him.

Any other mums here faced this? I thought the school would be overjoyed at having a diagnosis, as they have spent 2 years trying allsorts to get him to concentrate on tasks, not very successfully. He is, however, very good at reading, mental maths and talking!

Bumpity Bump Bump.

my ds has dyslexia and i took him to be tested and diagnosed myself,it turns out he is very bright.He has been treated at school like a dim kid who can't be bothered and still is to some extent. The advise i can give is don't give up you ned to fight all the way and with every new teacher.Take a report in and make them understand and make a fuss.What area are you in ? there are organisations run by councils that help parents with special needs children.They will give you advice on handling the school

Badger, I just read this and an appalled. Are they allow to do this?

I am dyslexic and I think my father is. I am lucky because I have learnt various coping mechanism so I can get by without too much problem but my main problem is with brain to paper kind of thing not paper to brain. I would hate to think of him not getting help if he needs it.

Oh and by the way, as I'm sure you know that just because he's not jumping about doesn't mean he's not ADHD. I use to have a book which described a form of ADHD where the child would be very sluggish and find retaining information difficult and would come across and half asleep most of the time.

Can you complain to the Education Authority regarding their reaction. Still very shocked. As a nursery nurse I would never think to contradict the diagnosis.

by the way my son was screened for dyslexia at school before i took him myself and they said he wasn't dyslexic.How on earth they came to that when he has it mild to severe I do not know

Hi,

Hopefully someone with direct experience will come forward with some more advice. I can only look at this problem from a wider prespective.

Will this cons. be prepared to write to the school outlining your DS's problems?. Personally speaking only I'd trust this man's diagnosis over any test the school has done to date.

Have you talked with the consultant further about school's attitude?. He may well be able to give you some ideas as to how to approach this further with school.

I take it as read that there is no Statement in place for him. You may have to consider going down this route if school are not forthcoming with support.

IPSEA may be able to help further as well; their website is www.ipsea.org.uk

Hope this helps a bit

badger7 I don't have direct experience and don't work for a school or helpline but as i said have a child with dyslexia and had lots of trouble convincing the school and am able to lend you support if you need it.

Do you have the dx in writing? Have you just given them a copy of the dx? Also I assume there must be some dyslexia association or something, maybe someone there can help. Outrageous!

link\www.bda-dyslexia.org.uk/\british dyslexia association}

Try giving them a call because they will help you with their education support line.

I really think you should give IPSEA a call and discuss your difficulties with the school.

Try making an appointment with the schools SENCO and have a chat with her about your sons diagnosis.

www.bda-dyslexia.org.uk/british dyslexia association

I'll master links one day!!!

Hi. If the school won't take you seriously your son will only get the help he needs if he is statmented (has a statement of special educational needs). Most LEAs try not to give you one as once a child has a statement it is legally binding on the LEA to provide what it says your child needs. "We haven't got the resources" cannot be used as an excuse. Without school support you can approach your LEA directly and tell them that you are applying for a parent-led assessment of your child - you have a legal right to this but it can take time. The disadvantage of going private is that the LEA doesn't have to accept anyone's assessment but their own educational psychologist's so it's probably not worth the money (you're looking at around £400 for a full private assessment).

Personally (and obviously this is only my opinion) I would approach the school and tell them that this is what you are going to do. I would ask them, in the meantime, if they will agree to giving your child an IEP (individual action plan) for next year until you get things sorted formally. You should speak to the school SENCO (Special educational needs co-ordinator - every school must have one).

My son's primary school fobbed me off for years saying that his problems were due to his being a summer born child, then saying he just needed "a bit of help" but it was dificult in such a large class etc. I eventually sent him to an independent school for years 5 and 6 to see if he would do any better in a class of 12 rather than 35 - he didn't. I then had him assessed privately and surprise, surprise, he is dyslexic - it made total sense in retrospect. When he moved to a state secondary school they gave him a bit of extra help but refused to accept he was dyslexic because the assessment wasn't done by "their" ed-psych! He is now at another state school which accepts he is dyslexic and supports him accordingly but getting there was a huge fight. Sorry this is so long winded, but I just wish I had known how to work the system years ago and would suggest you get in there as soon as possible to get your child the help he needs!