Dyslexia

jacquij123

Hi,
The bead threading that you mentioned sounds like it comes from the Dyslexia Screening Test
http://www.harcourt-uk.com/product.aspx?n=1343&s=1492&cat=1355&skey=2978&gclid=CKrok8q5lo0CFQbilAod5TL23Q


I use this in our secondary school to screen students for Dyslexia. Parts of the test cover things like short term memory, coordination, there's even one part that tests their ability to stand still. It is a very respected test that has been around for a long time.It tells you whether they are at risk of being Dyslexic. It's very hard to have someone difinitively diagnosed as Dyslexic and has to be done by someone qualified eg an Educational Psychologist, even then they tend to be very vague. It's a very difficult area, many students, as soon as they are 'labelled' use that as an excuse to not work, not saying that yours will but it is also quite common for students to be assessed as Dyslexic at one stage but then to later show no signs.

I really can't understand schools that won't assess, I suppose it is a bit of a minefield with some peope denying that it even exists but I have always found that the assessment itself can highlight areas of weakness even if the child is not at risk of dyslexia.

One company that I have come across and I was quite impressed with is DORE, may be worth a look.

Our advice for students whether diagnosed or not is really to overlearn, small steps, eg instead of trying to learn a whole times tables in one go focus on one sum, when they are confident with that add another one but keep going back to those previously learnt.

I hope some of this helps, aware it's a bit waffly.

lil_me

I think I would be considering getting him assessed privately if you are still concerned, some can offer some financial assistance but not all. Many services also a private tuition service aswell. I'm on a low income but saving up so when my son is a little older (advised to wait until he is 7) he can have the assessments and tuition. I have seen such an amazing difference in children I know who have been that I am more than willing to cut spending elsewhere to help my boy.

Savvy_Sue

With exams, you may be able to get extra time. I can't remember if my little bro did or not, but I do know he used to be allowed to write "I have dyslexia which affects my spelling and handwriting" on his exam papers. Loopy, you may find the special needs provision is better in the upper school, could be worth asking now, and also about any extra help your daughter might get in exams.

jacquij123

If you have evidence of Dyslexia from a specialist you can get extra time and even a reader and a scribe in exams. Quite complicated rules and procedures and they vary for the SATS and for things like GCSEs. I would push the school to get him assessed, there should be no need for you to pay for it. Also beware that some private places will find a way to diagnose everyone they see as Dyslexic.

BernadetteN

Volcano wrote: »

A system of books I used for teaching dyslexic children by 'synthetic phonics':

http://www.prometheantrust.org/faq.htm

Worked very well with huge improvements in most children and easy for parents to teach at home. However you must use as often as is recommended.

Yes this is more evidence that "dyslexia" is the manifestation of children having difficulty with phonological processes ie the sounds of a language, the same findings of the research done in Cumbria with their reading intervention scheme.

The Cumbria scheme, from what I remember from the Channel 4 TV programme, uses a simple phonological test which it is claimed is far more accurate in determining those children who will have difficulty with English literacy (so it covers all poor reader, not just those who get labelled as dyslexic) than the current methods currently used in the majority of other local authorities. From what I remember the test only lasts about 15 minutes and tests children's abilities to "pick out" individual sounds in words. For those who have difficulties in doing this, these are apparently the ones who then go on to have difficulty with reading and writing, due to written English often having no relation to spoken English.

I have found this article from The Telegraph online which was written 18 months after the Channel 4 programme which featured the Cumbria reading intervention scheme. It gives a far more balanced view than the Channel 4 programme did.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/main.jhtml;jsessionid=FWLAJE141BY5TQFIQMFCFGGAVCBQYIV0?xml=/health/2007/01/15/hdyslexia15.xml&page=1

Whether you agree or not about the argument over the existence of "dyslexia", this article highlights that the earlier the intervention the better and concentration on getting help for reading difficulties is far more beneficial than getting a "dyslexia" diagnosis.

However, I know what it is like myself with my dyspraxic and possibly aspergers son. They refuse to give him any extra help without a diagnosis and after 6 years of waiting for the professionals (he was actually assesed by them at age 4 as below the 5th centile with co-ordination skills which by definition is a significant delay), he was kicked of the lists for being within the norms (yes below 5% is within norms!) and now we are now looking toward at least an 18 month wait for a re-assessment, far too late for him as he is starting Grammar school in September.

TediousPhoenix

For all the people here who are having problems with schools and children with specific/non-specific learning disabilities, try seeing your local MP. Talk to him/her and ask if they could write a letter to the school (if the school is being uncooperative) - you'll be surprised how helpful a school can turn.

The worse thing teachers can do is to tell parents not to worry; that they'll grow out of it. All that happens is that they are hoping for a year to pass by and then they can wash their hands of the situation. Children who struggle need help today, not later. Later is too late.

All I can say is fight, fight, fight - parents know best and know when their children need help, not the so-called professionals who only care about budgets.

TediousPhoenix

BernadetteN, with regards to your son who is about to start secondary school, I would recommend that you organise a meeting with them within the first week of him starting.

I went to a grammar school in the sixth form - I didn't take the 11+ because my primary school told my parents I was average, not a high-flyer and shouldn't be put through the stress of rejection - it was the biggest mistake of my life. But when I did go into the sixth form it was clear that due to the selective nature they weren't very clued up on learning disabilities. But it also meant that they wanted to help in anyway possible, even though their expertise was limited.

Incidentally, one of my friends had Asperger's there. She went on to go to Cambridge.

ooobedoo

Thank you!

I have a form from 'access to work', they are going to come out to work to see what they can do to assist me, I paid for a private assessment as I was struggling with my work(I was working as a assistant project sponsor) I am good with practical things and can talk the hind legs off a donkey but give me a block of writing and it might as well in in russian

xxdeebeexx

Thank you everyone for your replies. jacquij123 the test you mentioned was exactly the one my younger son took.I have re-read the report and still uncertain of what it's saying !

kolakube_ I love that site that you recommended...there is so much on it..Thank you.


I have an action plan :-
1) Get my sons eyes checked.
2) Organise a meeting with the school to get some answers.
3) Continue with the ' multi sensory Times tables'
4) Continue with the 'easy' reading.
5) Arrange for a private assessment at the dyslexia Institute.
6) Carry on with the Eye Q omega 3 fish oils.

I know I won't be able to rest until he has been officialy assessed so I may as well get on with it ! ( I am worried that I will waste the £300.....but peace of mind is priceless)

Have I missed anything out ?
Thanks again every one


Dx

deb54

hi, My daughter is dyslexic, i had her assessed athe dyslexia association in stoke it cost £200 but that was 8 years ago. im glad i had it done coz i had proof at her school that she needed help. it got her a scribe with her SATs, GCSEs and A levels, without this test she would have had no help at all. she also had the coloured dyslexic glasses, they helped too but she tends to use coloured sheets of acetate now.hope this helps