Dyslexia

[fairyfly]

I am convinced, the school is pretty much convinced but can't officially label his problems yet. I want to know what i can do in the mean time to help him learn, how i can assist him, what it means for future learning . I need some literature on the subject as i know nothing about it. He is 6 and goes into year two in september, Anyone in a similar position or anyone with experience on a dyslexic child who has any advice would be much appreciated.

[fairyfly]

Is it normal to find yourself extremely upset when you find this out or am i just a hormonal mess?
I'm absolutely aware of how lucky i am and how worse things happen to children but it has made me a bit nutty.

[RTKangaMummy]

FF don't know much about dylslexia DS has Dyspraxia and I found it very emotional but found that the DX was helpful in that it just explained everything

Sending you cyberhugs{{{{{{{{{{}}}}}}}}

Does your DS know what is happening ie does he realise that that may be what it is IYSWIM?

[SueW]

Have you looked here: www.dyslexia-inst.org.uk/?

A few parents at school have recently been told their children are dyslexic. Some have been relieved; others are fighting the diagnosis. All were told about level of support required.

A friend who home eds has specialist tutor for her son. The tutor never uses white paper/black ink as that can cause problems for some children.

Good luck

[Kittypickle]

I can't help with details on dyslexia, but I agree with KangaMummy - I kept on bursting into tears randomly for weeks after I approached the school with my concerns about DD and dyspraxia - a dx really did help the explaining things bit. And I know exactly what you mean about worse things happening, but that doesn't seem to help when you're going through it. Good luck.

[fairyfly]

Nope, he has no idea, 6 months ago he had issues of beng "thick" and not being as fast as others but we all seem to have built his confidence back up. I'm not relieved i suppose, i was hoping he was just a slow learner, now i know this will effect him for life i'm a bit concerned. I am sure once i read more about it i will calm down. I understand many people have it and it doesn't have to be a negative thing, i am suprised i am upset really. Funny how you react to certain things.
I have no idea what i will say to him if his confidence diminishes again, i probably should have some sort of explanation ready.

[fairyfly]

Thanks for the link suew, what is a dx btw? sorry to plead ignorance.

[RTKangaMummy]

I said to DS that his brain is wired up differently to his friends

Hopefully the school will have lots to help him

[RTKangaMummy]

DX = diagnosis

[fairyfly]

Thanks,kanga, yes the school are lovely, very encouraging and confidence building

[RTKangaMummy]

That is excellent news

DS was 9 when he had his DX, he has just turned 10

He knows he is different, not better or worse just different an individual

[fairyfly]

Who, like all of us has different strengths, maybe excels in somethings others may not?

[RTKangaMummy]

[Kittypickle]

I told DD that a little bit of her brain worked slightly differently and made a comparison with a friend of hers who has glasses. I think that is the key thing, to find something that they do well in - it's taken a bit of time to find something for DD but a friend suggested trying drama as she is a complete drama queen and she's definitely found her forte !

One of the things that I found very difficult were all the abbreviations, people expected you to know them - I'd found phonics hard enough to get to grip with !

[fairyfly]

Lovely she enjoys drama, that is a fantastic gift. My son asks for art and craft night every evening, very enthusiastic about it.

[Kittypickle]

That's great he's got other interests with this going on. I know it's easy to say, but I'm sure he will be fine. I think that getting it early makes a big difference to a child's self esteem. Our local sports centre has quite a few craft sessions during the summer holidays, if you've had trouble finding anything for him it might be worth seeing if yours has anything going.

[RTKangaMummy]

Am sure that with these ideas about Art etc he will be fine, good luck

[fairyfly]

Thanks Kitty and Kanga

[RTKangaMummy]

You're welcome FF

Let us know how you get on

[Kittypickle]

And meant to say that there were several people on my course at University with dyslexia who came out with good degrees, not that they are the be all and end all by any means, just to illustrate that academic success is still very possible.

[RTKangaMummy]

And he will get extra time in tests and exams in the future

[fairyfly]

Yes feeling a lot more positive now, extra tuition can never be a bad thing, i am lucky it has been disgnosed and i am also lucky society is geared up for it.

[RTKangaMummy]

So if he does an exam or test that has a time limit of 1 hour

Your DS will have 1 hour 15 minutes to do it

So basically 25% extra

Should also be for the SATS next year

[fairyfly]

Absolutely no way is he ready for sats he will fail with first class honours. Oh sod it, his mothers an artist and his dad is a poet, he was in shit from day one.

[RTKangaMummy]

The SATS are absolutely no good for any of our children

They are for the school NOT for the children

So do not worry about them at all

I was just using them as an example of what I meant about extra time Sorry iof it worried you

[fairyfly]

No you didn't kanga you have been lovely, I happen to detest them anyway and have known for sometime they will be a sure fire way to shatter his confidence. Hopefully he will be a little more prepared by then.