want to get dd1 assessed properly for dyslexia

[hooper02]

have posted before about the problems getting my dd1 assessed( have suspected since yr 1 that she was dyslexic, now year 6). Finally got a screening test done this year which showed dyslexic tendencies but not severe enough for a formal diagnosis. One of her teachers admitted that she thought that she may be a compensating dyslexic, she has also been diagnosed as being dyscalculic but does not seem to be getting any extra help. Her reading and compehensio ability is way above average but her writing and spelling are poor and she still struggles with b+d and p+q. I don't know what to do or where to get an assessment done(live in nw england) but can pay if necessary(dh would resist as he thinks she is doing fine). I just want to help her to do as well as she can but jst don't know where to turn

[KOKOagainandagain]

DD is at an important transition stage where the demands of the curriculum increase. I would have an assessment done by an indi EP. Dyslexia screening tests are not accurate or detailed enough.

[KimBayliss]

Hello,
Dyslexia Action will be able to arrange an assessment, details are here: dyslexiaaction.org.uk/getting-your-child-assessed

Good luck!

[alimac87]

You might want to wait until secondary school - only because secondary schools can sometimes completely ignore whatever you did at an earlier stage. They are less likely to ignore an EP report, though.

[boyzmum1]

Hi what I would do is do a google search for Dyslexic assessments centres in your area or contact the BDA for recommendations. Dyslexia can never be cured but can be supported . People with dyslexia have an high IQ and can become very frustrated due to a lack of understanding and support that schools and health providers actually provide.
If you still have no luck , see your GP (if they are good) they should be able to help.

[boyzmum1]

Hi

looking for dyslexic students to ask a couple of questions too , nothing too bad !! I just would like to know the experiences of dyslexic students within university and if they got their needs met?

[MummaBubba123]

I'm a dyslexia assessor.
In short - if she's in Y6 now, make sure that you speak to the teacher and to the SENCO to ensure that she has the appropriate 'Access Arrangements' (rest breaks, additional time, etc.). These will only be given if appropriate and if the teachers are able to detail similar arrangements being provided as normal working practice for her at school.
It is correct that secondary schools usually need fresh assessments to be carried out. Those 'done' before the pupil commences in Y7 are often overlooked / carry less weight.
An Ed. Psych. report by someone who has plenty of experience of dyslexia (I like Lindsay Peer in Watford, for example) is a good place to start.
However, if you're looking for a more detailed analysis of your DD's difficulties in relation to dyslexia (even if not yet ascertained), having an SpLD assessment carried out by someone on the PATOSS list of assessors in your area may be a better bet.
This type of report would provide more detailed and appropriate resources for school, home, etc.

[Beth74]

I'm an assessor with many years experience and am still surprised by how often the wrong label is attached to someone with a SpLD which can often be as damaging as not being provided with any explanation. Often there are shades of dyslexia/dyspraxia/dyscalculia/ADHD in an individual as all these SpLDs overlap to some extent. However, this is not always the case. If I were considering Dyscalculia I would first of all consider the individual's strengths. Does he/she display good verbal reasoning? Is he/she highly creative and enjoy English, perhaps displaying flair for creative writing and comprehension? Typical weaknesses for someone with dyscalculia would be a lack of intuition with numbers and poor working/short term memory. There may be other issues such as some handwriting difficulties, spelling difficulties, problems with time, directions, etc. Dyscalculia is far behind in terms of research but it is estimated that anywhere between 5% and 8% of the population have it. I hope this helps.