I Think I Have Dyslexia

[rosiepenguin]

I am 12 nearly 13
I heard these were symptoms of dyslexia

I still can't tell left from right
I hold my ben between my middle and ring finger
I can't spell at all
If I don't repididly use like I stutter slightly
I can't tell the time on anoulouge clocks
Reading often gives me a headache
I daydream often
My bedroom is so messy but I have to have pens in the right order and things like that
I hear things
I notice things many other people don't
I never use capital letters and fullstops-im not lazy
My handwriting is fairly illegible and very inconsisistant
Im clumsy and unco-ordinated
My teachers have a go at me for my spelling grammar and presentation even though I can't change it but I haven't had any help

If you think I am dyslexic is there a way I can get propally diagnosed without my parents knowing as they have always thought me as "fine" but Im clearly not. I would like to know if I am as i can read fine

[Tilly2]

No, rosie, you can't be diagnosed without your parents knowing. Perhaps it's time you told them and asked them for help with your dyslexia. I bet they have their suspicions, anyway.

[pusskin]

You sound fine to me rosie.
i know quite a few youngsters who do not write half as good as what you do, and they havent ever been known to be dyslexic

[black_cat51]

what sort of things do you hear?

[Sycamore3House]

If you wrote your OP on your own and without spellcheck you have not got dyslexia. If you are 12 you would have developed coping strategies by now to deal with what you find difficult. Your parents would also have noticed.

[grasscarp]

You say you can't tell your left from your right. You must know if you are right or left handed. If you know that then you do know your left and right.
Your teachers or parents should be able to help you with correct way to hold a pen.

[campbellking]

Have you been assessed for dyspraxia (clumsiness), which is easily improved with exercises for core strength and co-ordination?

[pixie373]

I think you should speak to your parents and ask them to get you a GP appointment. There are a few signs there of a few different things. The doctor can refer you to a paediatrician, who will discuss what, if anything, you need to do. I would suggest you write everything down that you've noticed, as you have here. It can be difficult to think of everything when you're put on the spot.

[Mosaic]

Rosie, judging by your post you are perfectly competent at using a kebyoard. There is a teacher at your school who is the 'SENCO' - special educational needs coordinator. If your parents and the senco can work together then you can be given an official 'statement of needs' which will benefit you by giving for example you a little extra time when it comes to public exams. It will also enable other subject teachers to provide you with a differentiated approach (which they ought to do) rather than punishing you for not approaching tasks exactly the same as other kids.
Many successful people can neither spell nor punctuate. Lots of people struggle with analog clocks. Your observational skills may be the route to a fruitful career, so enjoy 'the difference'. I'm clumsy too. And I have to keep coloured pens in lined up in spectrum order.
It's a shame you feel on your own in this matter, and I wonder if your first step towards change might be talking frankly and openly to your parents - maybe even show them this thread on AB. Good luck.

[Mosaic]

Grasscarp - logical knowledge about left and right simply doesn't apply to those of us with the gift of dicombooberation. It's all either left, or the other left. we know what we mean, but the words that come out are random.

[pastafreak]

I think dyslexia can present in different ways. At your age,my daughter had huge problems with spelling,and processing what she read. It took several years of both testing,and specialist tutoring to get a diagnosis of mild dyslexia. She is now doing a PhD...not sure she would have stuck with her schooling without that diagnosis and the support that came with it.

[rosiepenguin]

Have none of you heard of autocorrext?

[pixie373]

Yes, of course. Ask your mum to take you to the doctor. If there is clearly nothing wrong, they will only send you home. No harm done. I think there's something there, though.

[rosiepenguin]

Plus, my brother who is older than me also has difficulties. All my parents have ever done is look after him and help him because he is older and more important. I have found many techniques to help me with spelling like big elephant can't always use small exits but even at 12 I've been spelling whith and belive like that and many other ways I know I spell it wong but I don't know how to correct it

[EcclesCake]

Rosie, this is obviously of a concern to you and I am surprised that your parents and teachers haven't picked up on it sooner.

Is there a reason you don't want to your parents to know or are you not wanting to worry them?

A visit to your GP or a chat with someone at school who is responsible for pastoral care or a SENCO is a good move.

Dyslexia doesn't mean it's the end of the world, there is much help out there and the sooner it is addressed the better for you in the long run.

If it's any consollation I don't know left from right either.

[joko]

Yeah being a smart-arse with people who are taking time to try to help you is probably not the best way ...

[atalanta]

Not being able to tell left from right ("confused laterality") does not have to be connected with dyslexia. I have confused laterality, yet I have a high reading speed, as well as excellent spelling, and am an experienced proof-reader into the bargain.

[EcclesCake]

Atalanta, do you know East/West or Port/Starboard?

Just curious as I don't.

[Old_Geezer]

You can only know if properly diagnosed but your symptoms could easily de due to other things anyway. For example, at my age I still have to stop and think about which is left and which right, always have. You could ask your GP.

[Old_Geezer]

Ah, I see that is not an uncommon failing :-)

[atalanta]

Strange as it may seem, I can do Port/Starboard, but not East/ West. Mind you, I used to live in a country where people gave directions as "Leeward" or "windward". The problem is that "up" and "down" are obvious, "in front" and "Behind" are obvious, but there is no intrinsic reason why one side should have one name, and the other side should have another name.