Dyslexia - your questions answered

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I have a 7-year old son and he has been tested by the school: they say that he has learning disabilities, ADD, and dyslexia, but yet, he is not failing enough to get special services! He has trouble with spelling, writing, and math. I have a brother that had trouble in school too; also my husband's brother had problems. I can't seem to get the school to help my son and I am at my wit's end. Can you please give me some advice about what to do?
It does sound as if your son should be receiving additional help in school. What you might like to do is to have him take our online Dyslexia test 7-16. From your description, he may be dyslexic. The test will establish this clearly, and to what degree - whether slightly, moderately or severely. Iif he is dyslexic you will receive an Assessment Report from us recommending that he receives additional support - special services - in school. You can show this to the school as an independent assessment of his learning disability, and this should be enough to ensure he receives the extra help he needs.

If I use your test, will the results be respected and considered authoritative by the public school system?
As far as we are aware most assessments that we have provided have been shown to the child's school so that proper provision can be made for the child. This is the primary purpose of most parents having our assessment carried out. We do occasionally hear of a school or colege that has its own requirements for testing, and, if in doubt, you should speal to the school first. You might show them a print-out of the main pages of our website.

I've been wondering this for a while, are most dyslexic people left-handed or right-handed? Or does it even make a difference?
Only a small minority of dyslexic people are left-handed, and it does not make any difference to school achievement whether a person is left- or right-handed. However, left-handedness is common among other members of the blood-related families of dyslexic people. Almost half of the dyslexic population is cross-lateral (for example, they may write with their right hand, but look through a telescope with their left eye or kick a ball with their left foot). Dyslexia is inherited in most cases, and a family history of learning difficulties is frequently found (though it may be brought about by other causes such as early ear/throat infections).

I think that my son who is nearly 8 may be dyslexic. He is very aware and bright on a verbal scale but is not achieving at school. He is very disorganized and has trouble with expressing himself as his words tend to get jumbled. He uses past tense for present, etc. He also writes a lot of reversed letters and numbers, but his school says this is quite common. His school thinks he has more of an emotional problem as he is very shy and introvert within the school setting yet he is the joker at home!!
From your description of your son it certainly does sound as if he may be dyslexic, particularly because of the difference between his intelligence and his actual achievement. Letter and number reversals, as well as being disorganized, can also be indicators in some children, as well as the fact that he jumbles his words when speaking. As far as the school's comments are concerned, he may be beginning to experience failure within the school setting, and becoming shy and introverted in response to this.

My daughter is 6 years old and finishing 1st grade. She turns 7 on July 1. She has had a hard time in school with letter and number reversals. She has been tested through the school and they feel she is too young to be tested for dyslexia. She has problems completing written work. She has many reversals. She even has math computer games in which she reads the numbers backwards - she reads 12 as 21. Do you have any suggestion on what I should do? She will be starting 2nd grade in the fall. We did get an IEP for her but that does not seem to be helping with her handwriting, letter and number reversals. The teacher marks her papers correct even when the letter or number is reversed. Thanks for you help. regarding this?
I would think that the best way forward would be to let her draw the letters and numbers she reverses really large on the carpet so that she can get the feel of them the right way round. She could also make those same letters out of plasticine to help remember which way they face. Remember that letter and number reversals are common at her age. If you are still concerned about her reading and spelling, she will be able to take the Dyslexia Test 7-16 in July.

Thank you for the assessment on David. It was very detailed and confirmed my theories on his dyslexia, although I had not heard of dysgraphia, so thank you again.
I wonder if you could help me with my next step in getting him the kind of education that would help him in his school. The SENCO (special needs teacher) believes there is not a problem. She feels that he just needs to concentrate more, stop getting easily distracted and may be a bit lazy (all the usual stuff associated with dyslexia).
I am meeting the principal next week to show him your report on David, and I wondered whether, if he still refused extra help, your report could be used as evidence if I request the education authority to assess David? This might be the only way that he will get the help he needs!
Yes, I think this is the best way forward. A polite but firm approach to the principal/headteacher, so that he/she can see that you are determined to have some kind of additional support.
If he does not accept the need for extra help, then you are within your rights to formally request (in writing) an assessment by the school authority's educational psychologist. You're not the only parent to have to struggle like this! It seem that the only way to do the best for your child is to keep on pushing, I'm afraid.
Your local Dyslexia Association may be helpful for support. (It can also help to go to see the principal with a relative or family friend, so that you are not alone.)

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