dyslexia and getting extra help at school

Mojisola

Thanks for the update. So many threads just stop without saying how things have worked out.

[Deleted User]

spaine wrote: »

Quick Update ..

Booked a Full Assessment for DD so that we have a better understanding of her Strengths and Weaknesses.

Found her a Dyslexic Tutor for 1hr 1:1 per week starting in September.

Both DD and I are feeling better about that start of Yr5.

I've got her some Reading Rulers.. She prefers the Yellow ones !

Plus, I'll be booking a meeting with her new teacher and the new SENCO when she starts back in September.

:j Seems all positive now with an action plan !

Hi,

Can I ask where you went to get you DD assessed, I'm in a very similar situation, DS has been assessed by school as dyslexic tendencies, been in IEP and is on school action plus. The school said that full assessment will only seek to "label" him and is not necessary. However, I would like to get a full assessment so that specific areas he has problems with can be targeted. I spoke to dyslexia action in my area and they told me £400 however, I was thinking of contacting educational psychologists to see what they charge. Although ultimately I will pay what I have to pay, but if I can get it cheaper that would be great.

Thanks x

spaine

Hi,
I got intouch with my local Dyslexia Association.

They provided me with a list of local tutors and assessors.

I contacted one of the Specialist Teachers who did the assessment at our home and cost £300. It took about 3hrs.

She provided a very detailed report of the test results and had a good understanding of DD's strengths and weaknesses.

Overall DD has got an above avg IQ .. but has a weak working and short term memory which is giving her the reading, writing and spelling problems.

Hope this helps

Mojisola

spaine wrote: »

Hi,
I got intouch with my local Dyslexia Association.

They provided me with a list of local tutors and assessors.

I contacted one of the Specialist Teachers who did the assessment at our home and cost £300. It took about 3hrs.

She provided a very detailed report of the test results and had a good understanding of DD's strengths and weaknesses.

Overall DD has got an above avg IQ .. but has a weak working and short term memory which is giving her the reading, writing and spelling problems.

Hope this helps

This was the way we found an assessor. What I liked about the report was that it showed strengths as well as weaknesses. Like spaine's DD, he also has a high IQ and in the comprehension questions, my son was years ahead of his age group. It's great to show a struggling child that they're also very good at something.

[Deleted User]

spaine wrote: »

Hi,
I got intouch with my local Dyslexia Association.

They provided me with a list of local tutors and assessors.

I contacted one of the Specialist Teachers who did the assessment at our home and cost £300. It took about 3hrs.

She provided a very detailed report of the test results and had a good understanding of DD's strengths and weaknesses.

Overall DD has got an above avg IQ .. but has a weak working and short term memory which is giving her the reading, writing and spelling problems.

Hope this helps

Hi,

Thank you, that's very helpful, it's already been identified that my son too has weak short term working memory problems, which I'm lead to believe is a "classic" dyslexia trait.

Do you feel that "armed" with an official assessment you carry more weight in getting support from school. I ask as my son was put on school action plus and made progress so was put back on school action,

Now my feelings are if he's making progress with the interventions on school action plus then it's working so keep him on it. Unfortunately the school disagree, in their opinion he's made progress, this is good and as his dyslexia isn't as bad as some other kids then I should be pleased.

Although interestingly his new teacher for this academic year wasn't even aware of his dyslexia trait and memory problems and when i approached him to discuss his plans for support in his class was quite stumped!.

I find the whole thing incredibly frustrating and I've been going through this process for 4 years!

Mojisola

I found it useful with the school because the report was very precise so I could say - he's having problems with x, what are you doing to help with this? The school had to come up with specific solutions; they couldn't get away with vague things like - "we are supporting him as he needs it".

[Deleted User]

Mojisola wrote: »

I found it useful with the school because the report was very precise so I could say - he's having problems with x, what are you doing to help with this? The school had to come up with specific solutions; they couldn't get away with vague things like - "we are supporting him as he needs it".

Thank you,

you've helped me decide for sure, I'm not going to wait any longer I'm going to get the test done.

spaine

I found that the report held some weight.

It has specific recommendations for the teachers, for parents and tutors even a mention about how her friends could help.

It's made me as a parent more aware of how shes learning and its also boosted her confidence.

She really wanted to know what the report said .. so I focused on all the positive parts first.. She was so pleased that one of the tests, she came top 2% and scored as if she was 13yrs. Shes only 9 !

So proud of what she can do .. now we'll focus on the key things to help with her literacy.

[Deleted User]

It sounds like it's been a really useful assessment all round. My DS's school seem to think it will only serve to label him (I disagreed), but from what you've said they couldn't be further from the truth.

Being in the top 2% (as if she was 13) is quite an achievement ( I'm not surprised you're proud) and is a huge positive to focus on and shows dyslexia doesn't mean you can't, it just means you need to be taught it in a different way.

Thank you for your help

spaine

you're very welcome

I don't think its a matter of labelling a child !!

I think the report empowers you to fight your corner and gives you a better understanding of the learning abilities of your child.

I feel this is only the start of our journey .. Another hurdle when we hit secondary school I think !!

Good Luck