I have a nagging feeling that my ds (6 years old) may have dyslexia, but I keep getting the brush off from friends and family. Dyslexia is on both sides of our family, and I'm getting concerned. My ds is working through the Reading Lesson and is doing "ok". We only do 2 pages a day, because when we do it, he gets really nervous and anxious or starts yawning and acting really sleepy. We started off with Sing, Spell, Read and Write, and the Reading Lesson is a lot better. He hates, hates, hates when we do school. I know this has nothing to do with HOD. He actually has a lot of fun doing some of the things in HOD, but this summer, I tried to just work on handwriting, phonics and math, which felt like torture to him. Some of the signs I'm noticing are, sounding out a word and then seeing that same exact word and not recognizing it. Of course "b" and "d" are a huge challenge. He sometimes, will sound out the last or middle letter first. Just this past weekend, we went to the beach, and he drew a picture in the sand and wrote his name, but it was a mirror image. It went from right to left with every letter backwards. When I said, "Wow, nice picture and you wrote your whole name backwards. Did you realize that?" He looked at me confused and just said, "no". He seemed a little upset after that. I suppose all of these could be normal, but whenever I read about dyslexia, red flags go up. For example, he is highly creative, very artistic beyond his years, dysfluency problem and in speech therapy since the age of 3, early hearing loss from "glue ear", other family members with dyslexia, and I feel like the list could go on and on.
After all this, I guess what I really want to know is, if you have a child that has been diagnosed with dyslexia, what age and what steps were taken to determine this, and what techniques are you using to help them?
Thank you for your help,
Tracy
How do you know if they are dyslexic?
How do you know if they are dyslexic?
DS 12
DD 10/DS 10
DD 10/DS 10
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mom2samlibby
- Posts: 28
- Joined: Thu Jun 17, 2010 4:58 pm
Re: How do you know if they are dyslexic?
We are pretty sure our son is dyslexic. I found a lot of helpful information on Susan Barton's website. http://www.dys-add.com. A lot of the things you mention are signs of dyslexia -- not recognizing words, b and d, very creative/artistic, along with having dsylexia in your family.
We haven't decided yet whether or not to have our child tested. There aren't any that are very close to us. Susan Barton will provide you with a list of testers in your area. I atteded a seminar put on by Susan Barton and she said that if every child that was dyslexic had testing the tutors would never be caught up. She said that about 1 out of every 5 people are dyslexic. She also said that if you believe your child is based on a checklist that she referenced (it's probably on her site) to go ahead and start teaching the child how to read and spell using a program that works for dyslexics, specifically an Orton Gillingham system.
We started using her Barton OG system a couple of weeks ago. I am doing it with him, instead of having him tutored. The system so far as been pretty easy to teach. Susan also said that if you suspect your child has dyslexia to start them on a program for dyslexics and if you start seeing progress it's probably a big sign that they are dyslexic. She said that the sooner you can start the better off the child will be. I wish now I would have been more pro-active. My son is 11. I knew he was struggling with reading, but just figured he would eventually catch on.
I hope this helps.
Amy
We haven't decided yet whether or not to have our child tested. There aren't any that are very close to us. Susan Barton will provide you with a list of testers in your area. I atteded a seminar put on by Susan Barton and she said that if every child that was dyslexic had testing the tutors would never be caught up. She said that about 1 out of every 5 people are dyslexic. She also said that if you believe your child is based on a checklist that she referenced (it's probably on her site) to go ahead and start teaching the child how to read and spell using a program that works for dyslexics, specifically an Orton Gillingham system.
We started using her Barton OG system a couple of weeks ago. I am doing it with him, instead of having him tutored. The system so far as been pretty easy to teach. Susan also said that if you suspect your child has dyslexia to start them on a program for dyslexics and if you start seeing progress it's probably a big sign that they are dyslexic. She said that the sooner you can start the better off the child will be. I wish now I would have been more pro-active. My son is 11. I knew he was struggling with reading, but just figured he would eventually catch on.
I hope this helps.
Amy
Have used:
Bigger, Preparing, CTC
Son, 17, with dyslexia, doing MtMM with extensions
Daughter, 14, using Rev to Rev with extensions
Bigger, Preparing, CTC
Son, 17, with dyslexia, doing MtMM with extensions
Daughter, 14, using Rev to Rev with extensions
Re: How do you know if they are dyslexic?
Thank you Amy! I stumbled across her website yesterday before my post and did get a list of testers in our area. Thanks for your post. I'm going to go back and visit her site.
Tracy
Tracy
DS 12
DD 10/DS 10
DD 10/DS 10
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MamaPajama
- Posts: 197
- Joined: Thu Apr 15, 2010 10:22 pm
Re: How do you know if they are dyslexic?
Reading your post makes me wonder if my DS is dyslexic also. We suspect he has ADHD, and I'm wondering if the two go hand in hand.
Re: How do you know if they are dyslexic?
If you go to the website that Amy linked, you will see that that alot of people that have dyslexia do have ADD. The website she has linked is awesome. I hope that helps.
Tracy
Tracy
DS 12
DD 10/DS 10
DD 10/DS 10
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mom2samlibby
- Posts: 28
- Joined: Thu Jun 17, 2010 4:58 pm
Re: How do you know if they are dyslexic?
Yes, ADD and dyslexia can go hand in hand. I believe Susan Barton said in her presentation that 1/2 of the kids with dyslexia have ADD also.
Have used:
Bigger, Preparing, CTC
Son, 17, with dyslexia, doing MtMM with extensions
Daughter, 14, using Rev to Rev with extensions
Bigger, Preparing, CTC
Son, 17, with dyslexia, doing MtMM with extensions
Daughter, 14, using Rev to Rev with extensions
Re: How do you know if they are dyslexic?
I also used the website referenced and it was a huge help to our family. It helped me to understand how DD's brain sees things and how to help her. It also helped confirm that she and DH truly are dyslexic without the need to have DD tested.
Crystal
DD 20 married college graduate
DS 17 college student
DD 11 CTC
Finished: LHTH, LHFHG, BLHFHG, BHFHG, PHFHG, CTC, Res to Ref, Rev to Rev, MTMM, parts of WG and WH
DD 20 married college graduate
DS 17 college student
DD 11 CTC
Finished: LHTH, LHFHG, BLHFHG, BHFHG, PHFHG, CTC, Res to Ref, Rev to Rev, MTMM, parts of WG and WH
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mrsrandolph
- Posts: 717
- Joined: Mon Aug 04, 2008 9:21 pm
- Location: Cartersville, GA
Hold The Diagnosis
They need to be officially tested. Let's don't start diagnosing our own kids as dyslexic. Dyslexia is a VERY complex brain disorder. A neuro psychologist will run a battery of tests on your child that can tell you. Most insurances cover these tests. Otherwise, if you are not opposed, the school district can do dyslexia testing.
However, I would go their private route if at all possible.
I was a reading specialist before resigning to stay home with our first child
Who...oddly enough is dyslexic!
However, I would go their private route if at all possible.
I was a reading specialist before resigning to stay home with our first child
Who...oddly enough is dyslexic!Shannon Randolph LOVING HOD & Running 4 Guides & DITHOR
Mommy to 4 Precious Blessings
Cassie (15- World Geography),
Will (14- Rev2Rev,
Ellie (12- Res2Ref), and
Jack (10- CTC)
Mommy to 4 Precious Blessings
Cassie (15- World Geography),
Will (14- Rev2Rev,
Ellie (12- Res2Ref), and
Jack (10- CTC)
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mom2samlibby
- Posts: 28
- Joined: Thu Jun 17, 2010 4:58 pm
Re: How do you know if they are dyslexic?
That may be easier said than done. Like I referenced above, there are not enough testers to test every person in the world that is dyslexic. There are only 3 or 4 in our state and all are many hours from us. Our public school system does not test for dyslexia, so my options are limited. However, I can start teaching him reading/spelling with the Orton Gillingham system and see if it does make a difference. And he does fit the profile of a dyslexic -- mixes up b and d, left and right, slow to read, has a parent that also shows signs of dyslexia, very good at art, sees things in 3-D, he can see something in his mind and picture it in the 3 dimension, slow to speak, still says aminal for animal, and more.
Have used:
Bigger, Preparing, CTC
Son, 17, with dyslexia, doing MtMM with extensions
Daughter, 14, using Rev to Rev with extensions
Bigger, Preparing, CTC
Son, 17, with dyslexia, doing MtMM with extensions
Daughter, 14, using Rev to Rev with extensions
Re: How do you know if they are dyslexic?
Unfortunately mrsrandolph, I have to disagree with you. My son is showing all the classic signs of dyslexia. Although, I had a nagging feeling that something wasn't quite right, I wouldn't have realized how right that nagging suspicion was until reading about the symptoms, and although we are going to try and get a professional evaluation, If that isn't possible, I will still start teaching my ds using the orton-gillingham method. I'm sure you don't think I should continue on homeschooling him in a fashion that makes him hate school, and makes me feel like a failure. My son is very bright, he has been read to every day of his life, I started teaching him the alphabet and the sounds of the alphabet at 3, but still at 6, we are having difficulty. It may seem to early to be diagnosing him, but he has a long list of other things that go with dyslexia that I didn't know were symptoms of dyslexia. Here they are:
1. Dyslexia in the family
2. Speech delay and stuttering/clammering(been in speech therapy since he was 3)
3. Has always mixed up in/out, before/after, yesterday/tomorrow etc.
4. Dysgraphia (he has an odd pencil grip with his thumb on top
5. Extremely artistic and visual (Most people are amazed at his drawings. He started drawing at age 3)
6. Continually mixes up 'b" and "d"
7. Sounds out the middle or last part of the word sometimes, or comes up with a completely different sound.
The list goes on, but you get the idea. I know you didn't really mean any harm in what you said. I realize today a lot of parents jump the gun and try to put labels on their children. But, who else is going to diagnose or notice these signs, I'm his teacher, and it is frustrating when, as a parent, (remember, I'm a homeschooling mom who is with her children 24/7) you know something isn't quite right and people keep brushing you off. And really, there isn't any harm in using the orton-gillingham method on children that aren't dyslexic.
Tracy
1. Dyslexia in the family
2. Speech delay and stuttering/clammering(been in speech therapy since he was 3)
3. Has always mixed up in/out, before/after, yesterday/tomorrow etc.
4. Dysgraphia (he has an odd pencil grip with his thumb on top
5. Extremely artistic and visual (Most people are amazed at his drawings. He started drawing at age 3)
6. Continually mixes up 'b" and "d"
7. Sounds out the middle or last part of the word sometimes, or comes up with a completely different sound.
The list goes on, but you get the idea. I know you didn't really mean any harm in what you said. I realize today a lot of parents jump the gun and try to put labels on their children. But, who else is going to diagnose or notice these signs, I'm his teacher, and it is frustrating when, as a parent, (remember, I'm a homeschooling mom who is with her children 24/7) you know something isn't quite right and people keep brushing you off. And really, there isn't any harm in using the orton-gillingham method on children that aren't dyslexic.
Tracy
DS 12
DD 10/DS 10
DD 10/DS 10
Re: How do you know if they are dyslexic?
I certainly don't want to "ruffle any feathers". But I too will respectfully comment on the "need" for professional testing.
I understand that people like to quickly label their kids, but when I as a parent know that something is going on with my child and this woman, other presentations as well as my reading specialist MIL all are pointing to dyslexia than I figure there is no harm in teaching her using methods designed for dyslexics. In all honesty, those programs and methods aren't going to hurt a "normal" child's abilities. I understand that many are more trusting of a professional's diagnosis than that of a parent, but in the past I have had medical professionals be wrong about my children. (Like the doctor who gave my son a medicine he is allergic to not more than 5 minutes after I reminded them that he was allergic.)
If testing is an option than go ahead and use those resources available to help your child. So while I understand the idea of encouraging a parent to get their child tested, it's not always an option whether it be because of location or finances. The website referenced has a lot of information which can help a parent like me, who does not have the option of expensive testing, to proceed in the right direction to help my child succeed.
I understand that people like to quickly label their kids, but when I as a parent know that something is going on with my child and this woman, other presentations as well as my reading specialist MIL all are pointing to dyslexia than I figure there is no harm in teaching her using methods designed for dyslexics. In all honesty, those programs and methods aren't going to hurt a "normal" child's abilities. I understand that many are more trusting of a professional's diagnosis than that of a parent, but in the past I have had medical professionals be wrong about my children. (Like the doctor who gave my son a medicine he is allergic to not more than 5 minutes after I reminded them that he was allergic.)
If testing is an option than go ahead and use those resources available to help your child. So while I understand the idea of encouraging a parent to get their child tested, it's not always an option whether it be because of location or finances. The website referenced has a lot of information which can help a parent like me, who does not have the option of expensive testing, to proceed in the right direction to help my child succeed.
Crystal
DD 20 married college graduate
DS 17 college student
DD 11 CTC
Finished: LHTH, LHFHG, BLHFHG, BHFHG, PHFHG, CTC, Res to Ref, Rev to Rev, MTMM, parts of WG and WH
DD 20 married college graduate
DS 17 college student
DD 11 CTC
Finished: LHTH, LHFHG, BLHFHG, BHFHG, PHFHG, CTC, Res to Ref, Rev to Rev, MTMM, parts of WG and WH
Re: How do you know if they are dyslexic?
I am going to close this off-topic thread, as it is not directly related to HOD. There are many excellent boards that focus on this type of discussion, but the HOD board is for discussing HOD's curriculum and ways to implement it successfully in your home.
Blessings,
Carrie
Blessings,
Carrie