Does anyone know where to get help for my dyslexic son? hes 11yrs old and in mainstream school?

Answer 1

Without more specific details of (a) what particular help you need and (b) your actual location then no it is not possible to give definitive advice - be more specific next time

Answer 2

you do not say where you are in terms of country but i will try and offer a little advice. i am dyslexic and was in special education as also have other disabilities i only got help and diagnosis when at 16 was i mainstreamed i was lucky enough to find good teachers. i was bairly literate and still have lots of problems with spelling and writing but am just embarking on a PhD. your sons school should have a lerning resorce room or simerler type of thing to give kids extra help with basic skills al so i f you are in the uk he should have a statment of spetial educational needs detaling his problems and how best they be tacked also. he may benifit from some help in the classroom from a teaching asistent to help him with reading in lessons. you could also go to your G.P and ask for a referel to an educational psycologist if you feel you are not getting the best help for him. i can not stress enough how necessary eirly intervention is so gust keep at it your son will be greatfull when he is older. i also use colord specticals for reeding and make lots of use of talking books and dictate my essays and use the compute a lot which is my selvation

good look to you both hope you and your son do not get disoloaned with the system as a good education is a gift to tresure and lerning has been my sanity in life

Answer 3

I too have a son who is dyslexic, how has your son reached 11 without the school doing tests etc and if they have why has he not been given the extra support he deserves.I must say my son did get more help and support from secondary school. If the school are not doing anything go to there Education Authority and make a fuss, I also work in a school and know that you get more help this way.good luck.

Answer 4

How do you know he is dyslexic? Has he been assessed. If so the school has should be supporting him under their sen policy and he should be on the code of practice at some level. Which level depends on the severity of his dyslexia. You need to contact the SENCO at the school and have a meeting to discuss your concerns and ask what support and provision they can provide. The British Dyslexia Association and The Institure of Dyslexia offer advice for parents.

Answer 5

You didn't specify what country you are living in.

First course of action should be to write a formal letter to the school requesting formal testing. Back this up with a letter from your General Practitioner. You can help yourself by researching local points of help (i.e National Dyslexia Association, "Dore" - on inter-net) I would reccommend using "Toe by Toe" - a structured Reading Manual by Keda and Harry Cowling. ISBN number = 095202564001. You can help your child by ensuring he joins a movement programme either at school or does some sporting activity - this will improve his balance and co-ordination and encourage development of the part of the brain which deals with reading/writing/sight and balance etc. Good Luck.

Answer 6

My youngest son is dyslexic and found the difference between schools' appreciation of the problem considereable. His first senior school treated him as though he was just slow. Luckily, we moved and his new school appreciated the problem immediatley, gave him extra coaching and an allowance on his work for the problem. It does seem to be a bit of a lottery, but schools really do have a responsibility to look after pupils with any problem.

Answer 7

go to www.dore.co.uk They have a 12 month drug-free programme that can in most cases clear dyslexia, dyspraxia and ad-hd. They have had over 20,000 people do the programme with amazing results.Success stories include Toyah Wilcox and Scottish Rugby Hero Kenny Logan .

Answer 8

my son has dyspraxia and dyslexia and was in a mainstream school too, every school has a budget for a learning support teacher, your local doctor should be able to help with information regarding advice and help, failing that call for information from your local hospital child development office.

Answer 9

The school is suppose to help! They are only legally obligated to help if the child is in special ed. They do NOT have to help the child if he isn't in special ed. Some schools will 'say' they will help, but they can stop the help at any time and parents can't do a thing about it.
First thing to do is write a letter to the school districts special ed director and request an evaluation to see if child can qualify for special ed services.
Dear (district sped director)
I am requesting a full, educational initial evaluation testing in all areas of suspected disabilities, for my child (name) as specified by IDEA law, to determine if he can qualify for special ed services.

He is in (grade) in (teachers) class, in (school name).

He is having the following problems ( here, list all school related problems (yes, homework too) and list all things noted by teachers as problems, all things noted by doctors as problems.)
***NOTE: DO NOT LIST THE WORD DYSLEXIA in your request! Even though this is a valid disability, the word 'dyslexia' is NOT considered one of the 13 categories in which children can qualify for special ed help. So schools will say they do NOT help with dyslexia. But the way to get around this is to state the childs EXACT problems they are having 'because' of the dyslexia, whether it's reading, writing, math, etc) This way, the child could qualify for special ed under the categories of 'specific learning disability' 'language disability' 'other health impaired' etc.***

Here's the rest of the letter--
I understand that this evaluation can not be performed without my written consent. Please consider this letter my formal written consent.
I also understand that the district has 60 days from the date of my consent to have all evaluations completed.
Please send me a list of all evaluations that will be administered to my child.
Please send me a copy of the evalution report with all test scores included at least 5 days before the eligibility meeting.
Please put a copy of this letter in my childs permanent educational files.
Thank you

Now, if the school does NOT want to do this evaluation, they are suppose to give you 'prior written notice' of LEGAL reasons why they refuse.

If they do not give this to you, you can file a formal state complaint. They are also suppose to give you a copy of 'parents rights' and 'procedural safeguards'
Make sure you get these, most schools do not give these cause they don't want parents to know about the laws that protect them and their children.

Also go to www.schwablearning.org and sign up for free to post on their 'parent to parent message board' you will get LOTS of help there!

Read up on the federal special education laws at www.wrightslaw.com and www.reedmartin.com

If you need more help email me at [e-mail]

Answer 10

Have you spoken to the school special needs co ordinator? They should be able to offer specific details of how the school is supporting your child and further details as you request it.