Dyslexia assessment advice please ?

xstitchcrazee

My son, now nearly 18 yrs old had an ILP from yr 2. Throughout his schooling I asked on many occasions about the possibility of him being dyslexic, I was always told no he just has problems taking information in. It wasn't until he was towards the latter end of yr 10 the school decided to put him through several tests as his G.C.S.E course work wasn't going as well as it should be that they decided that yes he did have word recognition problems and during exams he would be entitled to extra time and a reader. He has gone onto college, at his initial interview they immediately arranged a dyslexia test. It came back positive and if he has any exams to take, which with the courses he is doing he doesn't, he would be entitled to extra time and a reader/scribe. Had all this been done a lot earlier, his exam results wouldn't have just been OK, they would have been a lot higher. It was extremely hard watching him feel so frustrated during his exams at school, he knew the answers in his head when the questions were read to him, but could not get his words down, even with the extra time. I suggest pushing and testing!!!

[Deleted User]

jazzypinkpuppet wrote: »

Thanks guys, I have telephoned My local Dyslexia association and they have put me in touch with a few assessors in my area. I think you might be right Savvy_Sue, if I have it done in the holidays I can go and see the teachers in September and hopefully he will get all the help he needs from the beginning. It seems early intervention is the key.
Thanks also for all the posts about how you or your children went to uni and have good jobs etc, it is really encouraging to read.
Sallylizzie, it is an awful situation to be in, I hope you get the help you need soon. I will let you know how we get on.

I was told by Dyslexia Action that we would have to wait until September for an assessment. I contacted another Ed Psych and was told the same thing. So I'm waiting until then (a case of having to) but I've been fighting this for years a few more weeks wont make a huge difference. I've also made arrangements to see a few places offering private tuition, as I'm going to go down that route too in order to ensure my son gets the right type of teaching that suits his needs

From what you say, you're school sound supportive and that's really good. Good luck with your assessment and I hope you continue to get the support your son needs
SL x

Bennifred

When DS3 was 7 and still not reading, his teacher said rather patronisingly that just because we had two bright boys who had learned to read before they went to school, we shouldn't expect DS3 to be the same. We knew that DS3 could run rings round the older two verbally, and he was becoming upset at his problems, so we had him tested privately by an Educational Psychologist. It was the best thing we could have done for him - he is very dyslexic and very bright. However, his primary school was not at all supportive and we ended up withdrawing him and sending him to a special school for dyslexic children for two years (all we could afford). What a transformation! Like other posters have mentioned, he finally realised that he wasn't thick, and that he COULD learn to read with specialist help. His self-esteem improved hugely. He learned that he could achieve what he was prepared to work for, and that it might take more effort but that it was possible.
He then went on to a state comprehensive school, and we paid for a specialist tutor for one hour a week to support him until he was about 15.

To cut a long story short, and to offer encouragement to others in this position - DS3 is now 18 and is waiting for his 'A' level results in English Literature, History and RS - all "wordy" subjects :cool: It hasn't been easy, he's had to work very hard (and so have we!) but it has been worth every bit of help we've had to pay for.

travelgran

Just to add that a dyslexia report will not in in itself gain the youngster extra time in exams. The school needs to show a history of having made such arrangements in internal tests and exams as part of the normal school arrangements.

Savvy_Sue

Bennifred wrote: »

When DS3 was 7 and still not reading, his teacher said rather patronisingly that just because we had two bright boys who had learned to read before they went to school, we shouldn't expect DS3 to be the same.

Many years ago, this was basically the message given to my Mum about one of my siblings. Fortunately they did get some help before the end of primary school, when a lovely teacher finally realised that there was a lot more going on than being written down! This teacher got my sibling to read what they'd written, and marked on that, because NO-ONE could make sense of the handwriting!