I think my son is dyslexic, he is going to be 6 soon, and he is still finding it difficult to recognise his letters, my other two children had learnt their letters and numbers by the time they started school? His primary school says I shouldn’t worry, and that children learn at different paces, but I am sure there is a problem?
There are a number of questions that you should ask yourself. Firstly, is there a history of dyslexia in either your or your husband’s family, if there is, then it is quite possible that your youngest son has inherited the family predisposition. We generally feel that if a parent, especially one in your position who had experience of two older siblings, feels that there is a problem there may well be one.
In the first place have a meeting with your child’s teacher and have a frank discussion of your concerns. If the teacher shares your concerns ask them to explain what measures are in place to monitor and help you child. Do ask them to give you an indication of the time-scale that the teacher is working to. Ask if the teacher has discussed your child’s needs with the school’s Special Educationalal Needs Coordinator (SENCO) and the Headteacher of the school and agreed a plan of action that will meet your child’s needs. This level of provided support is known as School Action and your child should be subject of an Individual Education Plan (IEP) which will outline clear targets of progress.
Six years old is generally felt to be a little young to have a full Educational Psychologist report carried out, however, we would suggest that if you continue to have concerns about your child’s progress that you should consider having a report. Dyslexia School Search can assist in organising for a full vetted and highly qualified professional to give you such support.
If the report confirms your concerns then the sooner you child receives properly qualified support in the right learning environment the better the outcome.
My eleven year old daughter is dyslectic, she is very artistic and has always wanted to go to art college. She really struggles with mathematics, and languages, but has a very high IQ, do you think it is possible for her to fulfil her dream?
It is extremely encouraging that the dyslexia friendly schools in the UK recognise that children like your daughter exist and that their talents are to be built upon and encouraged. The International Baccalaureate does not generally favour the dyslectic student however fortunately at present the UK’s A Level system will allow your daughter to follow the courses that will allow her to flourish in one of these schools. She may well find that the GCSE process is going to be tough, but with the right level of support, and bearing in mind her high IQ, she should be able a achieve a reasonable number of subjects and then specialise in the Sixth Form.
In the first place have a meeting with your child’s teacher and have a frank discussion of your concerns. If the teacher shares your concerns ask them to explain what measures are in place to monitor and help you child. Do ask them to give you an indication of the time-scale that the teacher is working to. Ask if the teacher has discussed your child’s needs with the school’s Special Educationalal Needs Coordinator (SENCO) and the Headteacher of the school and agreed a plan of action that will meet your child’s needs. This level of provided support is known as School Action and your child should be subject of an Individual Education Plan (IEP) which will outline clear targets of progress.
Six years old is generally felt to be a little young to have a full Educational Psychologist report carried out, however, we would suggest that if you continue to have concerns about your child’s progress that you should consider having a report. Dyslexia School Search can assist in organising for a full vetted and highly qualified professional to give you such support.
If the report confirms your concerns then the sooner you child receives properly qualified support in the right learning environment the better the outcome.
My eleven year old daughter is dyslectic, she is very artistic and has always wanted to go to art college. She really struggles with mathematics, and languages, but has a very high IQ, do you think it is possible for her to fulfil her dream?
It is extremely encouraging that the dyslexia friendly schools in the UK recognise that children like your daughter exist and that their talents are to be built upon and encouraged. The International Baccalaureate does not generally favour the dyslectic student however fortunately at present the UK’s A Level system will allow your daughter to follow the courses that will allow her to flourish in one of these schools. She may well find that the GCSE process is going to be tough, but with the right level of support, and bearing in mind her high IQ, she should be able a achieve a reasonable number of subjects and then specialise in the Sixth Form.
Can my son be cured of his dyslexia?
Unfortunately, no. There is no pill or “quick fix” for dyslexia. Dyslexia is not a disease Dyslexics simply have different brains that find reading difficult, just as some of us find playing a musical instrument or drawing a beautiful picture testing.
In the UK we are fortunate that unlike most of Europe, Russia, Asia and the Middle East dyslexia is now generally recognised and the stigma that was once attached to the condition is no longer present. In fact once a child and their family comes to terms with their dyslexia they value the talents which their dyslexia has given them, as do as do an increasing number of employers who understand that dyslexia can confer exceptional abilities. With the development of computer and film technologies there has is a huge demand for programming, artistic and graphic design skill, areas where dyslexics are outstanding. One well-known architect prefers to employ dyslexic people because of their spatial awareness and lateral thinking abilities.
Each dyslexic person's difficulties are different and can vary from slight to severe disruption of the learning process. The fundamental brain differences cannot be eliminated; but the effects of dyslexia on reading can be competently overcome by skilled specialist help and committed learning.
Although dyslexia often is a lifelong condition, it is also a condition that can be greatly mitigated with the right treatment.
In the UK we are fortunate that unlike most of Europe, Russia, Asia and the Middle East dyslexia is now generally recognised and the stigma that was once attached to the condition is no longer present. In fact once a child and their family comes to terms with their dyslexia they value the talents which their dyslexia has given them, as do as do an increasing number of employers who understand that dyslexia can confer exceptional abilities. With the development of computer and film technologies there has is a huge demand for programming, artistic and graphic design skill, areas where dyslexics are outstanding. One well-known architect prefers to employ dyslexic people because of their spatial awareness and lateral thinking abilities.
Each dyslexic person's difficulties are different and can vary from slight to severe disruption of the learning process. The fundamental brain differences cannot be eliminated; but the effects of dyslexia on reading can be competently overcome by skilled specialist help and committed learning.
Although dyslexia often is a lifelong condition, it is also a condition that can be greatly mitigated with the right treatment.
Are on-line tests for dyslexia acceptable to schools?
No. On-line tests are designed to give an indication of possible dyslexic difficulties. They are not a diagnosis and are not 100% accurate. They should be administered by a teacher and if they indicate that a child has dyslexic tendencies we would always recommend that specialist help should be sort and therefore early intervention strategies can be put in place.
Can you tell me about coloured overlays, my daughter has seen a behavioural optometrist who has advised us that they may well help her with her reading?
It is very wise to have your child’s sight tested by a behavioural optometrist. It is not unusual for people with dyslexia to experience visual difficulties and these subtle difficulties are generally not picked up by a standard optician’s test. However there is now strong evidence that using deep yellow or blue coloured overlays or glasses can usually improve these visual symptoms; they steady visual attention and improve eye control. It is claimed that they have been shown to help up to half of all dyslexics with their reading.
The following points may well be an indicator that your child is experiencing visual problems:
When your child is reading:
A behavioural optometrist may well recommend a programme of exercises for your daughter, they are certainly worthwhile persisting with, and the effects may take between 3 – 12 months to become apparent.
The following points may well be an indicator that your child is experiencing visual problems:
When your child is reading:
- Do the letters or words often go fuzzy or blurry?
- Do the letters or words move around?
- Do the letters or words seem to split into two – symptom of double vision?
- Does reading give your child a headache?
A behavioural optometrist may well recommend a programme of exercises for your daughter, they are certainly worthwhile persisting with, and the effects may take between 3 – 12 months to become apparent.