Dyslexia spelling tests - how accurate ?

[wrongsideof40]

My ds is 8 - lovely boy - works hard and generally does well at school - however, his reading is behind what is expected for his age group and his teacher had him do this spelling test for dyslexia - which he passed ie not dyslexic

I am not sure where to go from here - whether to have a private assessment or try some tutoring ? or just hope it will all come together in time ? I don't think he is dyslexic but it is in the family so you wonder ...... I would hate to think that there were things we could be doing to help him but aren't .

Does anyone have knowledge about how accurate the spelling test is ? Would it be worth getting something more in depth done ?

Thanks in advance

[DidEinsteinsMum]

I passed those tests in primary and got diagnosed at 13. I struggled as a result but did do ok (2.1 degree [smug grin])

Have a think, can you ask for the precise details as it has to be an educational psychologist who diagnoses dyslexia.

[wrongsideof40]

I can find out more about the test - I know if dyslexia is indicated then the school gets additional learning support funding, but apart from that I don't know much !

[risingstar]

From personal experience, I would go for a full assessment by an educational psychologist. Then you will know if he has any learning difficulty and have an idea of his underlying ability- it will not be a matter of speculation by various teachers.

We had years of being told that DD2 would catch up- until at 11 we had her assessed- very bright and yes dyslexic. If we had listened to our instincts at 8 or so she would have had a different and more positive experience at school

[wrongsideof40]

Rising - I admit I am leaning towards getting an assessment in the summer hols - his teachers admit they are puzzled at his lack of progress, and if nothing else it would at least stop me speculating about possible problems !

[cornsilk]

Unless the teacher is a specialist SpLD teacher they can't assess dyslexia. SpLD teachers look at a range of skills - not just spelling. Do you have a Dyslexia Action near to you? They are very good.

[risingstar]

I really think that it would be worth it....I genuinely thought that teachers would know if she had learning difficulties plus i had a brother and sister who were late developers. I really wish we had got an expert opinion much earlier. At least then you know what you are dealing with and are armed for several years at least with the facts about where your child should be in terms of his peers.
With my dd, she has difficulties in processing and working memory. Interestingly she can read lists of words till the end of time. It is putting them together and understanding them that is the problem. equally, with spelling she always scored average or slightly above. I discovered that this was because her school concentrated on learning the words in the standardised spelling test!!! Her actual spelling in her work was way below standard. the ed psych assessed her spelling as that of a 7 year old and reading age of 8. Her cognitive ability was above the limits of the test (ie 16 years plus).

[wrongsideof40]

I haven't heard of Dyslexia Action but will investigate - perhaps they could reccommend an Ed Psych ?

Rising - it's such a spectrum of ability isn't it ? Your DD has problems in some ares but is great in others - my Ds is amazing spacially - he constructs these great Lego kits for much older children in an afternoon ! But the pressure for exams etc makes us want to channel them.

I was at funeral this week for an 88yr old relative who started in a company as a clerk - 50 years later he retired as Chief Accountant - I remember thinking that couldn't happen today - it's so difficult for people to progress without the pieces of paper ..........