Dyslexia

[maidon]

My 11 year old neice has dyslexia and is having problems at school (she has come home twice recently in tears after being ridiculed ) she did have a special teacher but that is not the case now. My brother does not seem to be getting any help she needs from the school and seems to be at his wits end trying ! Latest the school say is "she'll get better help when she goes to secondary school next year" I feel they are trying to pass the buck . . anybody else have problems with schools re this. or is your child's school being a big help if so what help are you / child receiving. Any reply would be grateful. thanks

[sunflower68]

Do you know maidon, does she have a statement of special needsfor her dyslexia? I guess secondary school is this September for her. Maybe he could get hold of some CDroms out there for her to try in the meantime. It will be hard for him to fight for extra help at this stage I would imagine so may have to resign himself to self-teaching for now.
We use 'Nessie' in my school, it's pretty good.

[sunflower68]

forgot the link!!
http://www.download32.com/nessy-gamesplayer-i3 8071.html

[MWB]

Dyslexia rules, KO!

[cariad84]

Don't know if you've already seen it, but this website might be helpful:

http://www.bdadyslexia.org.uk/index.html

[dot.hawkes]

from experience, some schools are loathe to make children with mild dyslexia a special case as this affects their offsted report and their overall assessment published in local papers.
Kick off about it, make a stink, it may be a small issue now, but when she needs help with her GCSE's she will be at a disadvantage

[Ice.Maiden]

There are degrees of dyslexia - literally. I know two people who have the condition , yet've been through uni and gained their degrees.
Your niece's school should have a SEN teacher, and this needs bringing up with the Head Teacher and the governors. This should also be the case at any secondary school which your niece attends.

[Nannyjillx2]

I have dyslexia but never knew until I took a grandson to be tested and the lady asked all these questions and then gave me a short test. I just always thought I was abit dippy

[pinktwink]

it is best to get an educational psychologist who can advise on the level of dyslexia to talk to the school and educational boars regarding her needs and supports needed. There are also specialised computer programmes as noted for those with dyslexia. It may also be worth checking if thereis a local association for dyslexia in your area that can offer advise or literacy association

[maidon]

thank you for all your answers.
I'll mention to him about the 'Nessie' site.
She has been seen by an educational psychologist and did have a special needs teacher until she retired earlier this year and they wont replace her but have suggested may run some after-school classes.
She has some special coloured glasses that they got made at a local techi college that trains opticians and she is due to go for another test soon.

The Education Department said he would not get help financially but my brother did not want this - he just wants some help to advise him what he can do (re books / dvds / computer programs etc) to help his daughter.

thanks again for your help !

[mifta]

My daughter was diagnosed last year at the age of 10 with very severe dyslexia. I had been going on at the school about her lack of progress and all she had was extra reading. We paid privately to have a psycholgical assessment done (�400) and it was the best money we ever spent. Armed with the report I tackled the school and was given loads of info. Your neice may be on School Action or School action plus (depending on her needs). If she is, she will have plan of how her needs are met which her parents should be involved in.

As she is in year 6, I feel that school have kind of 'written her off' and I feel she will be more appropriately supported at secondary school.

Have a look at the SEN code of practice

http://www.teachernet.gov.uk/_doc/3724/SENCode OfPractice.pdf

or get her parents to get in touch with your local PARENT PARTNERSHIP

http://www.parentpartnership.org.uk/

Best of luck

[mifta]

'Written her off' - I was speaking about met daughter - sorry, not clear.

Hereditary perhaps!!! LOL

[cazzz1975]

if she has a statement it would mean that the school are recieving funding for her condition and as such should provide her with help. If they are not, then something should be said as they are still recieving funding for that.

be wary of SENs some of them are very poor