So I was hoping someone would be able to help me with some info about dyslexia or what else to look into. My 6 year old son in grade 1 is having a lot of trouble learning to read. He would be somewhere around 12 months behind his peers I believe. He gets d & b, m & w, n & u, h & f mixed up. Vowels seem to be interchangeable. He has just learnt his golden words about a week ago, knows some of the red word. He knows most sounds when he recognises the letter. He has brilliant audio recall. Is doing OK in the math side of things now I think but that took him til this year. I have a meeting with his school coming up but I am worried they are going to say I am over reacting and try to fob me off. How hard should I push? Does anyone have any ideas on what to push for?
3 Replies
Push, but honestly from experience you will need to go privately for testing. Usually an educational psychologist can do the test. Otherwise contact your local SPELD for advice.
School psychologists usually have very long wait lists and kids with far bigger problems on there list (not that dyslexia isn't a concern, but priority unfortunately goes to those with behaviour problems).
Definitely look into it. I went undiagnosed throughout school and didn't find out until I was an adult I had dyslexia. Looking back, all the signs were there, but with 30 kids in a classroom, if you can't keep up the teachers just move on really. I'd be getting both sight and hearing tested and seeing an OT if possible. Ask doctors for a referral, just say the school has requested one, so you should get Medicare to help cover the costs. I'm now a teacher aide working with students with Dyslexia because i felt I needed to give back and help these kids before more slip through the system, plus I know how they learn, honestly it's much easier on them and they get far more support if it's picked up on earlier. Signs to watch out for are skipping words when reading and mixing up letters like you said. Confusing sounds, and sometimes even numbers. Trouble with reading, writing and spelling. Good luck! Go with your gut. Spend as much time as you can helping and reading to your son.
A speech (and language) pathologist can test his language.