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Late dyslexia diagnosis in Yr 6 - what do we do?

Posted: Sun Oct 30, 2011 8:57 pm
by anon e mouse
Hi All,

It's my first time on the SEN section of this forum. Our son has struggled with writing throughout his primary school, he finally caught up with his class mates two years ago with his written work but I was always concerned that his spelling and grammar were poor. His school has always dismissed my worries and told me not to worry, that spelling isn't really looked at its more the creative idea they are putting forward and just as long as he's spelling phonetically - i shouldn't worry.

But i did worry. We had a recent parents evening and i was told by his teacher that DS was achieving well, really excelling at maths and that he was pleased by his overall work. I questioned his spelling again and said i was really worried. I was that, he as a teacher wasn't concerned. After this fobbing off again, i just couldn't get rid of that little niggle in the back of my head. I phoned the dyslexia helpline explaining i was probably worrying about nothing but I wanted to know one way or another if my son was dyslexic or whether he was a poor speller. They directed me to find an ed pyschologist.

So we trundled along to the appointment, me really worried i was going to be laughed out of the building for bringing my bright son to see someone about just poor spelling. Turns out (and i love typing this) I WAS RIGHT, ALL HIS TEACHERS WERE WRONG. He has been assessed and very bright - top 1% but severely dyslexic. He's only been able to stay on level at primary school because he is so clever and had his own coping methods, but he is under performing in his school work when you take in his high IQ assessment.

It was great to hear and get a proper evaluation, at least we know now that he is capable of so much more. But what now? He's in Yr6 and wants to go to a grammar school, but he hasn't been taught how to work with his dyslexia so won't really be able to show his true potential. Has anyone else had an experience like this? We'll be speaking to his primary school SEN and passing on the ed pyschologist report but what should we be expecting his school to do to match his needs? Any information/help would be gratefully received.

Re: Late dyslexia diagnosis in Yr 6 - what do we do?

Posted: Sun Oct 30, 2011 9:54 pm
by yoyo123
http://www.dyslexia.com/library/classroom.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

is this any help?

I suggest you find out as much as you can, there are some good books around.

Re: Late dyslexia diagnosis in Yr 6 - what do we do?

Posted: Mon Oct 31, 2011 7:28 am
by Thingsbehindthesun
I think most grammar schools do make allowences for children with special needs during the enterance exams,such as extra time but you would have to let them know before hand. So it would be best to contact them to see if they could accommodate.

Re: Late dyslexia diagnosis in Yr 6 - what do we do?

Posted: Mon Oct 31, 2011 7:47 am
by yoyo123
what area are you in?
I would contact the LA/school straight away and see if the is any entitlement to extra time, although it is not always given. Is he on the SEN register? Speak to your school Senco.

Re: Late dyslexia diagnosis in Yr 6 - what do we do?

Posted: Mon Oct 31, 2011 8:49 am
by anon e mouse
Thanks for sending that link. It looks very useful. I have been googling Dyslexia for most of the weekend.

We're in North London so The Latymer 1st round has already been taken before his diagnosis. I'll be calling them today to see if they can allow him any kind of compensation if his NVR score was good enough to do the second test at the end of Nov.

With the SEN register - i'm not entirely sure what this is? I did have a meeting with his SEN and the head teacher in year 4 to express my concerns and was told there was nothing to be concerned about as he was working at the same level as everyone else in his class. And his teachers since have said the same and end of year results have been average and above average. But i couldn't understand why by bright DS couldn't grasp spelling, so I arrange the Ed Pysch visit and paid for it as the school didn't think that DS needed any assessment. He is capable, so far, of staying in line with his peer group and also working ahead of them at time but the ed pysch said that with his high IQ - he is under performing to what he should be able to record down - he should be producing work a few years ahead of his peer group to match his high IQ. Not sure what the school may do with the results when they get it. I made sure that ed psych had all the proper qualifications so her report should hold weight. I was told by a helpline that the school may just offer him a teaching assistant rather than IT support and extra time as he's able to achieve level 5 results at the end of the year without any help so the school may feel that they have met his needs and their SAT results. Who knows? This week will be interesting.

Re: Late dyslexia diagnosis in Yr 6 - what do we do?

Posted: Mon Oct 31, 2011 10:30 am
by Manana
Can I ask if this was a private EP?

Re: Late dyslexia diagnosis in Yr 6 - what do we do?

Posted: Mon Oct 31, 2011 12:14 pm
by Morning Glory
Have a look at the Parents Guide to SEN, which explains the SEN process.

https://www.education.gov.uk/publicatio ... 800%202001" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Our DS was diagnosed with Asperger in the Summer between Year 5 & Year 6. He had always had issues with handwriting & spellings & in Year 4 he had some social communication issues. He was only ever average at school and it was only when we got an EP report (as part of his diagnosis) that we realised how much he was underachieving.

We applied for adjustments to the 11+, we did get some but extra time was refused, although our EP state he would need it. To cut a long story short, he failed the 11+ and we had to appeal but won. He is now in Year 8 at GS and is doing well. His handwriting & spelling are still not great but he seems to manage and enjoying it.

Since Primary he has now got a statement which does give him extra support and extra time in exams but the SEN process is very slow and it sounds like you are just at the beginning of your journey.

Re: Late dyslexia diagnosis in Yr 6 - what do we do?

Posted: Mon Oct 31, 2011 9:47 pm
by anon e mouse
Hi Teachermum,

I paid for the assessment but made sure that she was on the chartered pschologist list, AFBPsS too. She works independently but also works with the local LEAs. Has over 20 years worth of experience.

Re: Late dyslexia diagnosis in Yr 6 - what do we do?

Posted: Mon Oct 31, 2011 9:49 pm
by anon e mouse
Thanks Morning glory for the link. I'll have a read of it tonight. Yes, it feels like we're at the beginning of lots of discussions. Tried to get hold of the Sen coordinator today at his primary school but missed his call back. Will try and grab him before school in the morning. Must be the first step in all of this.

Re: Late dyslexia diagnosis in Yr 6 - what do we do?

Posted: Tue Nov 01, 2011 11:02 am
by anon e mouse
So tried to get hold of the SENCO yesterday and missed his call back. He left a message to say he'd be in the playground before the bell this morning. He wasn't. Went to the office to wait for him. He ran in and said he forgot he had a meeting and was running into another. I said i wanted to tell him about the findings, he said "30 seconds" (keep calm and carry on quick). Told him that Ed Pysch told us he was severely dyslexic and that DS has poor short term memory. Senco ran out of the reception area saying he was surprised and to send in a copy of the meeting. Great meeting, very annoyed.