Guest guest Posted December 4, 2006 Report Share Posted December 4, 2006 Hi, All! Need some help here...what else is new, right?!?!?!? Ugh...Well, a month ago at conferences, my husband was told my son was doing just fine with reading -- right on track where he should be (he's in 1st grade...my son, not my husband!). I was told the same thing at the Infamous Meeting from Hades on Nov. 17th, when I said I think my son is dyslexic. Now, all of the sudden -- we get his progress report, and guess what?!?!?!? HE'S BEHIND IN READING!!!! No, really?!?!?!?! Geez.... So, does anyone out there know of a place to take your child to be tested for dyslexia -- because the school doesn't believe me and said they wouldn't intervene unless he's in third grade and still having problems. I am NOT waiting that long. Hmmm...the last time they told me everything was fine and it suddenly ended up not being fine was when I found out they were sticking him in a closet.... --Suzanne Check out the new AOL. Most comprehensive set of free safety and security tools, free access to millions of high-quality videos from across the web, free AOL Mail and more. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 4, 2006 Report Share Posted December 4, 2006 Suzanne - It is very IMPORTANT NOT TO WAIT til 3rd grade!! Here's a quote from " What Every Parent Should Know About Dyslexia " " Reading disabilities are the most understood and effectively corrected learning disability ... [but] if help is delayed until third grade, children rarely catch up with their peers ... 75% of children who were poor readers in the 3rd grade remained poor readers in the 9th grade and could not read well when they became adults. If parents suspect that their child has dyslexia, the sooner they act on their suspicions, the better it will be for their child. " From What Every Parent Should Know About Dyslexia Did the school provide documentation that your son's reading was behind? If so, I would request from the school Prior Written Notice as to why they are not testing him for Dyslexia and why they are not including reading help in his IEP. If I were you, I'd also read " What Every Parent Should Know About Dyslexia " , and glean any scientific research that says waiting til 3rd grade is a bad idea. I'd then present that info to them and demand that SCIENTIFICALLY approved dyslexic teaching method be used for my son. Reading is of the utmost importance to his academic career as well as his life, and I feel that immediate remediation (not waiting any for evaluation or action) as well as scientifically proven teaching methods are worth going to due process for. YOU ARE RIGHT TO ACT NOW. Unfortunately, I'm not all that familiar with dyslexia. The International Dyslexia Association keeps a database of service providers. I copied their contact info below. Best to you! Chris ************************************ from the www.wrightslaw.com (service providers for dyslexia) Database of Service Providers The International Dyslexia Association (IDA) maintains a national database of providers and others who can help, including: psychologists diagnosticians academic and educational therapists tutors speech language therapists pediatricians advocates attorneys For information about the IDA database (or to be included in the database), contact the IDA Information and Referral Department at 410- 296-0232, extension 125 or e-mail nfo@.... Individual provider application l Organization application The International Dyslexia Association Chester Building, Suite 382 8600 LaSalle Road Baltimore, land 21286-2044 Phone: 410-296-0232; Fax: 410-321-5069 Voice Message Requests for Information: 1-800-ABCD123. The office is open Monday - Friday, 8:30 am - 4:30 pm Eastern time ************************************ from the international dislexia association website Who can diagnose dyslexia: http://www.interdys.org/fact%20sheets/Testing%20FS%20NL.doc At what age should an individual be tested for dyslexia? Individuals may be tested for dyslexia at any age. Tests which are selected will vary according to the age of the individual. Young children may be tested for phonological processing, receptive and expressive language abilities, and the ability to make sound/symbol associations. When problems are found in these areas remediation can begin immediately. A diagnosis of dyslexia need not be made in order to offer early intervention in reading instruction. Who is qualified to make the diagnosis of dyslexia? Professionals who possess expertise in several disciplines are best qualified to make a diagnosis of dyslexia. The testing may be done by a single individual or by a team of specialists. A knowledge and background in psychology, reading, language and education is necessary. The tester must have knowledge of how individuals learn to read and why some people have trouble learning to read, and must also understand how to measure appropriate reading interventions is necessary to make recommendations. **************************************** > > Hi, All! > > Need some help here...what else is new, right?!?!?!? Ugh...Well, a month ago at conferences, my husband was told my son was doing just fine with reading -- right on track where he should be (he's in 1st grade...my son, not my husband!). I was told the same thing at the Infamous Meeting from Hades on Nov. 17th, when I said I think my son is dyslexic. Now, all of the sudden -- we get his progress report, and guess what?!?!?!? HE'S BEHIND IN READING!!!! No, really?!?!?!?! Geez.... > > So, does anyone out there know of a place to take your child to be tested for dyslexia -- because the school doesn't believe me and said they wouldn't intervene unless he's in third grade and still having problems. I am NOT waiting that long. > > Hmmm...the last time they told me everything was fine and it suddenly ended up not being fine was when I found out they were sticking him in a closet.... > > --Suzanne > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 5, 2006 Report Share Posted December 5, 2006 Hi, -- Oh, I am SOOOOO not waiting. Thanks for the info -- I did actually contact the local branch of the International Dyslexia Association, and they gave me a list of practicioners who can do diagnostic testing -- I'm presently playing phone tag with Tony Whitehouse from the Townsend Learning Center in Chagrin Falls (anyone have any experience with them?), who said they can do that type of testing. The school's stance was that he was testing just fine in reading. But, as I said, got his Interim Progress Report and now he is below the DRA testing level he needs to be at -- I'm not sure how that happens in a time span of less than two weeks, but I'm sure as heck going to ask! I was also told at the meeting that "diagnosis doesn't matter...we go by the child's needs." Uh-huh...if that were true, they would have known not to put my son in a closet (I just can't seem to get past that, can I?!?!?), since that ran contrary to his "needs." Regardless, I know that there is a tried and true method for teaching dyslexic children (The Orton-Gillingham Method), but that is not what they're using with him. They are using the sight-word method -- wrote memorization of basic sight words and then learning to sound out unfamiliar words. Well, this is NOT going to work with a dyslexic. And it's NOT working with my son...I'd say, his reading is getting worse. So, do you think that since they have now put in writing that he's behind in reading, that I can ask them if they will now test for dyslexia (send him someplace for a diagnostic test -- not some goofy "Lexia" test on their goofy computer, but an acutal, approved diagnostician), and if not, ask them to put in writing why not? I'm thinking -- VERY seriously -- about the Autism Scholarship for my sons. I always wanted them to be mixed in with the neurotypicals, but not if the school is going to damage them. However, we cannot afford to go over the $20,000 allowed by the scholarship. Anyone have any ideas for a 1st grader (AS/ADHD) and a Kindergartener (moderate ASD, non-verbal)? Thanks again for the help. --Suzanne -----Original Message----- From: picklespaw@... Sent: Mon, 4 Dec 2006 5:45 PM Subject: [ ] Re: Dyslexia? Help?!?!?! Suzanne - It is very IMPORTANT NOT TO WAIT til 3rd grade!! Here's a quote from "What Every Parent Should Know About Dyslexia" "Reading disabilities are the most understood and effectively corrected learning disability ... [but] if help is delayed until third grade, children rarely catch up with their peers ... 75% of children who were poor readers in the 3rd grade remained poor readers in the 9th grade and could not read well when they became adults. If parents suspect that their child has dyslexia, the sooner they act on their suspicions, the better it will be for their child." From What Every Parent Should Know About Dyslexia Did the school provide documentation that your son's reading was behind? If so, I would request from the school Prior Written Notice as to why they are not testing him for Dyslexia and why they are not including reading help in his IEP. If I were you, I'd also read "What Every Parent Should Know About Dyslexia", and glean any scientific research that says waiting til 3rd grade is a bad idea. I'd then present that info to them and demand that SCIENTIFICALLY approved dyslexic teaching method be used for my son. Reading is of the utmost importance to his academic career as well as his life, and I feel that immediate remediation (not waiting any for evaluation or action) as well as scientifically proven teaching methods are worth going to due process for. YOU ARE RIGHT TO ACT NOW. Unfortunately, I'm not all that familiar with dyslexia. The International Dyslexia Association keeps a database of service providers. I copied their contact info below. Best to you! Chris ************************************ from the www.wrightslaw.com (service providers for dyslexia) Database of Service Providers The International Dyslexia Association (IDA) maintains a national database of providers and others who can help, including: psychologists diagnosticians academic and educational therapists tutors speech language therapists pediatricians advocates attorneys For information about the IDA database (or to be included in the database), contact the IDA Information and Referral Department at 410- 296-0232, extension 125 or e-mail nfointerdys (DOT) org. Individual provider application l Organization application The International Dyslexia Association Chester Building, Suite 382 8600 LaSalle Road Baltimore, land 21286-2044 Phone: 410-296-0232; Fax: 410-321-5069 Voice Message Requests for Information: 1-800-ABCD123. The office is open Monday - Friday, 8:30 am - 4:30 pm Eastern time ************************************ from the international dislexia association website Who can diagnose dyslexia: http://www.interdys.org/fact%20sheets/Testing%20FS%20NL.doc At what age should an individual be tested for dyslexia? Individuals may be tested for dyslexia at any age. Tests which are selected will vary according to the age of the individual. Young children may be tested for phonological processing, receptive and expressive language abilities, and the ability to make sound/symbol associations. When problems are found in these areas remediation can begin immediately. A diagnosis of dyslexia need not be made in order to offer early intervention in reading instruction. Who is qualified to make the diagnosis of dyslexia? Professionals who possess expertise in several disciplines are best qualified to make a diagnosis of dyslexia. The testing may be done by a single individual or by a team of specialists. A knowledge and background in psychology, reading, language and education is necessary. The tester must have knowledge of how individuals learn to read and why some people have trouble learning to read, and must also understand how to measure appropriate reading interventions is necessary to make recommendations. **************************************** > > Hi, All! > > Need some help here...what else is new, right?!?!?!? Ugh...Well, a month ago at conferences, my husband was told my son was doing just fine with reading -- right on track where he should be (he's in 1st grade...my son, not my husband!). I was told the same thing at the Infamous Meeting from Hades on Nov. 17th, when I said I think my son is dyslexic. Now, all of the sudden -- we get his progress report, and guess what?!?!?!? HE'S BEHIND IN READING!!!! No, really?!?!?!?! Geez.... > > So, does anyone out there know of a place to take your child to be tested for dyslexia -- because the school doesn't believe me and said they wouldn't intervene unless he's in third grade and still having problems. I am NOT waiting that long. > > Hmmm...the last time they told me everything was fine and it suddenly ended up not being fine was when I found out they were sticking him in a closet.... > > --Suzanne > Check out the new AOL. Most comprehensive set of free safety and security tools, free access to millions of high-quality videos from across the web, free AOL Mail and more. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 5, 2006 Report Share Posted December 5, 2006 >playing phone tag with Tony Whitehouse from the Townsend Learning >Center in Chagrin Falls (anyone have any experience with them?) Never heard of them, but they have a nice website! They are not far from where I live, so I'll keep them on file for future reference if we ever need a private evaluation. >DRA testing level I'm afraid I don't know what DRA stands for. That's a new acronym for me! I don't feel like a vetern anymore!! LOL :-) >if that were true, they would have known not to put my son in a >closet (I just can't seem to get past that, can I?!?!?), since that >ran contrary to his " needs. " Don't ever get past that!!! Evidence that the expert educators can be clueless, not to mention borderline abusive. >Regardless, I know that there is a tried and true method for >teaching dyslexic children (The Orton-Gillingham Method), but that >is not what they're using with him. Orton-Gillingham is not just tried and true - it has peer-reviewed scientific journal evidence that it works. Just the type of evidence that congress wants educators to use when making curriculum decisions for children with IEPs. They wrote that in the new IDEIA. > So, do you think that since they have now put in writing >that he's behind in reading, that I can ask them if they will now >test for dyslexia (send him someplace for a diagnostic test -- not >some goofy " Lexia " test on their goofy computer, but an acutal, >approved diagnostician), and if not, ask them to put in writing why >not? I'm assuming your child is on an IEP right now. My understanding of current law is that you can ask that the school evaluate your son at any time, but not more frequently than once a year. You can make this request particularly when new information comes to light - which would be the school's report that your son is behind in DRA (whatever that might mean!:-)). Of course, put your request in writing. In your letter, request that the school give you a response within a reasonable amount of time. Write follow-up letters (eg, if you requested a response within 2 weeks, send a second letter after one week stating you are looking forward to their response). Of course, the school might respond back with something like they can't test your child that quickly, but can within a month... - at least you'll have in writing that they will test him. If they say they cannot or will not test your son, then by law they have to tell you why in writing - Prior Written Notice. It will be a legal document and the reasons must be compelling. Last fall, my son was being evaluated by a neurologist who felt that he had ADD. I requested the school test him for executive functioning and adaptive behavior, etc., due to this impending diagnosis. The only testing instrument for executive functioning I knew of was the BRIEF, but if the school knew of another test, they could have done that. Long story short - the school did a battery of tests in the spring and they bought two new tests - the BRIEF and a Sensory test that came out this fall. The school psych even said she liked the BRIEF and would give it to other students. Now what was my point? - Oh, anyway, I think you can get the school to evaluate your son for dyslexia. Be persistant. Don't go away. Get the school to put everything in writing. I find that if you make the school put something in writing, they'd rather just do what you ask. >not some goofy " Lexia " test on their goofy computer LOL!! I'd ask what education and experience that computer has to diagnose children's disabilities!! Did the computer graduate from Stanford with a Master's in education psychology? Would the school personnel go to a computer program to diagnose their cancer? -Just when I thought I heard everything!!! Chris > > > > Hi, All! > > > > Need some help here...what else is new, right?!?!?!? Ugh...Well, a > month ago at conferences, my husband was told my son was doing just > fine with reading -- right on track where he should be (he's in 1st > grade...my son, not my husband!). I was told the same thing at the > Infamous Meeting from Hades on Nov. 17th, when I said I think my son > is dyslexic. Now, all of the sudden -- we get his progress report, > and guess what?!?!?!? HE'S BEHIND IN READING!!!! No, really?!?!?!?! > Geez.... > > > > So, does anyone out there know of a place to take your child to be > tested for dyslexia -- because the school doesn't believe me and said > they wouldn't intervene unless he's in third grade and still having > problems. I am NOT waiting that long. > > > > Hmmm...the last time they told me everything was fine and it > suddenly ended up not being fine was when I found out they were > sticking him in a closet.... > > > > --Suzanne > > > > > > ______________________________________________________________________ __ > Check out the new AOL. Most comprehensive set of free safety and security tools, free access to millions of high-quality videos from across the web, free AOL Mail and more. > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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