End of tether. Should I get DS assessed? (Dyslexia)

[LuLuMacGloo]

After a year of procrastinating I've finally come to the conclusion that DS (6.10) has a genuine problem with reading/spelling. All the usual stuff - letter confusion, word reverals, number reversals, starting work books at the back rather than the front. He can't read more than a couple of lines of a book (basic 'reading' book as opposed to chapter book) without rubbing his eyes and getting exhausted.

He was getting really far behind so we started doing the Dancing Bears series with him - which has definately helped but he's still been 'demoted' to bottom reading group which has been a total confidence crusher and now he refuses to read anything out in class (though he will attempt to read with us at home - with eyerubbing results!).

Anyway, teacher flagged up dyslexia at last parents evening but said she wanted to 'wait and see' how he got on in Primary 3. I can't stand the thought of him struggling on for another year with us not knowing how best to help him and him losing more confidence every day.

What should we do? Should we have him assessed? How would we go about this?

I'm sure there have been loads of other threads on this topic but my PC isn't allowing me to search properly this morning [hmmm] so any links to similar threads would be much appreicated.

[MsDemeanor]

I think an assessment would be a good idea though no experience with assessments for dyslexia, but also, has he had an eye test? Very important I think if they find reading actually hurts their eyes and makes them exhausted.

[LuLuMacGloo]

Good idea about the eye test - will book him in asap. Thanks MsDemeanor.

[MsDemeanor]

I know several little boys for whom a pair of Harry Potter specs have made a huge difference to their reading! Good luck.

[LuLuMacGloo]

Booked him an eye test for tomorrow. Crickey - if that's the problem I'll feel terrible for not doing anything sooner!

[MsDemeanor]

Well, if there's nothinig wrong with his eyes, at least you have ruled it out.
Let us know what happens.

[LuLuMacGloo]

Thanks MsDemeanor.

[maverick]

Do your own assessments first, especially the Alphabet Code and nonsense word tests:

www.aowm73.dsl.pipex.com/dyslexics/resources_and_further_2.htm

[LuLuMacGloo]

Thanks for the link maverick - that's brilliant. I googled about a bit this afternoon and did the Harrison test. According to the test he is guessing words and needs to sort out his confused sounds (b/d i/e etc etc). The test seemed very thorough but didn't really tell me anything that I didn't know already. What I really want to know is WHY he is still confusing letters, jumbling up words etc despite being a bright wee chap who normally picks stuff up pretty fast. I'd also love to know how to help him sort out his letter confusions - I'm right out of ideas!

I'll leave it a few days (don't want to make him too paranoid )then do the tests you have suggested. I'm trying to play the whole thing down atm in an effort to boost his confidence (while privately going demented..) Once again thanks.

[maverick]

LMG, do have a look at my page 'Should I have my child assessed?' It will explain a lot

www.aowm73.dsl.pipex.com/dyslexics/should_I_have.htm

[LuLuMacGloo]

Thanks again Maverick - it's a bit of a mine field isn't it! A fantastic link - will be using all the info on the decodable books etc. You're a star!

[cornsilk]

If he is dyslexic he'll benefit most from specialist tuition from a trained dyslexia teacher? Is there one in your child's school?If not you could start lessons out of school for him. Even if he's not dyslexic he'll still benefit from them.

[Bbbee]

if they think he is dyslexic why are they waiting to see how he gets on? Ask for a specific reading intervention (not a dyslexic one) and if he does not improve he needs to be refered to the ed psych.

[Bbbee]

(this in in line with the British Psychological Society defintion of dyslexia)