General Chat

Has anyone ( especially parents) seen the report out today?

No, Sorry Mike not seen any news today, whats going on?

Personally, I think its another cover up --- but it could have implications for those whose children suffer and i think some are on this site?

Hi Mike, is this the report from some 'expert' who says it doesn't exist? Haven't read it in detail yet, but as an ex classroom assistant , working one to one with children with dyslexia, I would most certainly disagree with him/her. Will be interesting to read the whole report. Christine

Christine, Yes.. this 'expert' is saying its all in the mind! Its on BBC website ...... I might be wrong but think a programme is out about it?? I will certainly watch with interest...

Thanks Mike, just going to have a look. Christine

I have a 9 yr old that still does her 9s as ps and her ds as bs and her 3s as es and they say she is normal for her age, ive often asked could she be dyslexic and the teachers say it is normal for her age. I honestly dont know, but in my opinion i dont think it is normal. Pip

Pipsy.... it is possible to just have dyslexic traits... my daughter did and still does but she had wonderful teachers who found this out when she was very young - she had special classes at Primary School and the Senior School were helpful too. She is now the Manager of a large children's Nursery School and is doing very well. Some children are just slightly slower starters than others but they can catch up! Jacquie xxxx

My daughter is very bright just cant put it on paper, her teachers say they love her stories and love hearing what she has to say, but also say she hasnt a problem its just normal, shes in year 5 now, i dont expect her to be a scientist, if she should need help, id expect her teachers to notice, by now at least. The poor lass has had that many substitute teachers lately, i dont think they know the kids well enough.

9pm Thurs C4

Pipsy I understand your concern. Each school should have a special needs coordinator. What about making an appointment to meet them to discuss this? Dyslexic traits show in many forms and is no indication of the level of intelligence. I know one boy, way ahead of his years in reading ability but he finds even fairly simple words very difficult to put down on paper. Non bleached or lightly coloured paper seems to help some children rather than the usual white.

I think I'd better tell my son that his dyslexia (that was assesed by professionals) doesn't exsist, and that he really can put the written word on paper, and my brother and niece as well, (as it is heriditary) Oh and we'd better inform the specialist Dyslexia school in Rochester that they had better close, as it's all in their pupils mind.

Until my son was diagnosed I did not believe dyslexia was a real condition. Since he started school he had made no improvement whatsoever in his writing and reading and although obviously a very bright boy verbally he had been put in to 'withdrawal groups' making glove puppets and so on until we saw a tv programme about dyslexia and it was him to a tee. We had spent a fortune on private tuition but he would forget the next day what he had learnt. When tested by an ed psych his reading/writing was 5 years below his verbal skills. Although he could not seem to hear letters properly - i.e. hedgehog would be said as 'hedchunk'. Crisps were crips, vinegar, vigener and so on. He is ambidextrous, couldnt remember days of week, months of year, confused time, short term memory, spelt phonetically (e.g. pretty would be spelt p-r-t) last year would be next year or last week. At 19 he still cant spell his middle name or say the alphabet, nor does he know which month follows which. He doesnt know left from right, was never in any team games, was bullied, was a loner - the list goes on and on. He was still wetting and messing himself at 12. Dyslexia is often part of a wider condition which can include ADHD (another one I never believed in), autistic spectrum conditions, dyspraxia. People often say 'Oh I think my son/daughter is a bit dyslexic, he spells badly' Guys, it is SO MUCH more than spelling badly. And it is so distressing for the parents to be 'looked down' on by other parents and teaching staff. I would add my eldest son was star of the school - literally - and breezed through an honours degree at the same time as working for BBC and Channel 4 (at 18!) You have to live with it to recognise just how damaging it is for people. My own husband who believed he was just a bad speller and was put at the back of the class because he couldnt keep up with reading and writing, never applied for a job because he simply couldnt complete forms. He has had his own business for nearly 30 years as I do all his paperwork after he dictates to me personally or gives me a tape.

Hi All My husband has dyslexia (hes 37) but back then he was just called 'stupid' and such like. I wouldnt mind but he is a very very clever man. (not that im biased). Our youngest son aged 12 has dyslexia also. I knew from when he was about 2 years old, but only because I read alot about it and my hubby is dyslexic and knew the 'signs'. My son is very clever with practical things and loves science and mechanical problem solving. But, if he had his way, he would never go to school. He had all sorts of tests and meetings (because we demanded they do something to help him at school or I would teach at home and report the school). He got loads of help after that but is now in his 2nd year of Senior school and doesnt get the same sort of help. Some teachers understand but others just cant be bothered! He just has poor concentration and memory skills. And though his writing is atrocious, he has improved quite a bit. His older brother doesnt have this problem but it does run in my hubbys side of the family. Experts diagnosed my son - so are the sceptics saying they are making it up too? Perhaps if they had family with dyslexia then they would understand. There are many different severities of dyslexia and associated 'special ways of learning'. Understanding is the key to helping! My son takes Omega 3 fish oil supplements and has for the last 3 years or so - what an improvement. I also notice that if he misses a couple of weeks like when they are off school, then he gets frustrated more easily and impatient, but then, the experts would say that its just because he is being moody etc Sorry for ranting, but it makes my blood boil when these people say things they havent experienced for themselves, especially when you consider the turmoil the parents and children go through just to get through school, let alone try to enjoy it. Moan over......sorry. Thanks for letting us know about the program Mike - I have put it on reminder so I dont miss it. Vikki xx

Hi, if you dont think your son is getting the help he needs, speak to the head teacher and ask about statementing. They will try their hardest to put you off (someone was even told 'they dont do that any more') but make yourself heard. Contact your local British Dyslexia Association group (try yellow pages or CAB) and ask for assistance in statementing - we had a 'Parent Befriender' who attended all meetings with teachers and the LEA to help us - we even got to the point of threatening legal action against the school governors. Upshot was our son was statemented, the school said they couldnt meet the requirements of the statement so LEA paid for him to go to a private specialist school.

I always remember a key phrase from a talk about dyslexia. 'If students dont learn in the way you teach, teach in the way that they learn'.

In case any one is recognising the 'symptoms' for the first time: Please look at the British Dyslexia Association web page for contact addys and phone nos.

I have a colleague who habitually writes 'Thursday' as thrusday, and Remember as rememember........ but he's got a degree in IT....... Bob

hi mike my youngest son suffers with it and i can assure the 'experts' it isnt in the mind it is a genuine disability. i wish they could see my son sitting here crying cos he cant read the newspaper.its heart breaking by the way my son is now 25!!! and has 2 children of his own susie

I don’t normally post anything personal on the net. I as, yet have not read the report. Without going into to much depth when a child is assessed, although at school and through life they are labelled as having dyslexia, the actual assessment is Specified Learning Difficulty this is because there is so many facets to what is known as dyslexia ( lex as in lexicon) dyscalculia (cal as in calculate) and so on. Specified Learning Difficulty is not just a new label my first dealing with the assessments was over 20 years ago. Jan