Hep/advise needed - Dyslexia testing

[mifta]

Hi

My daughter is nearly 10 and in year 5. She has always been behind at school with her reading/writing and numeracy and we have 'plodded' along doing the homework sent home from school and extra reading that I felt necessary. When we went to parents evening last week we were told by her teacher that level of literacy was a big problem, her literacy level is that of a 7 year old (year 2). I have had suspicions that she may be dyslexic and have tentatively raised this with the school in the past but they have not felt testing was necessary. I asked, directly, last week, if she could be tested. I was amazed to find out that this would be extremely difficult for the school to do (resources!!!!!!!!) and even if we paid privately for her to be tested and she was diagnosed with dyslexia, the school couldn't necessarily provide any adittional support for her. I am now really angry that the school have not provided any more support for her, up to this point, anyway, as she is so far behind. I can't help feeling that they have written her off already, as a student who will be well below average when doing her sats next year and therefore not prepared to throw any more resources her way.

Does anyone have any suggestions on how I can move this forward?

Thanks

[ethanryan]

hi read tthrough my thread step son update, in family/family life, people gave me places to get in touch with that might be useful

[Buenchico]

You have the right to insist that the local education authority conducts a 'special educational needs' assessment. The LEA can only refuse if:
(a) they've conducted an SEN assessment within the past 6 months ; or
(b) if, having examined all of the available evidence, they conclude that an SEN assessment is not necessary.

From your post, it seems extremely unlikely that (a) applies and I can't see how they justify refusal on the grounds of (b).

There's a sample letter for you to modify, and send to the LEA, here:
http://www.dyslexia.uk.com/page79.html

Once a child has been 'statemented' (i.e. a 'statement of special educational needs' has been made) , the LEA is legally obliged to draw up plans to provide appropriate educational facilities and resources for that child.

Forget about battling with the school. It's the LEA which is responsible for assessing your daughter and providing suitable education.

That sample letter is taken from this site:
http://www.dyslexia.uk.com/
Despite the terrible web design, that site contains a great deal of useful information.

Chris

PS: I used to be in teaching and I know that a surprisingly large number of educational problems were eventually traced to medical causes (e.g. sight or hearing problems or dietary problems, e.g. an inability to absorb certain vitamins or minerals). It might be worth having a word with your doctor and getting everything checked out.

[froggequene]

Requesting a child having a Statutory Assessment of his/her Special Educational Needs is completely different kettle of fish from a school ignoring a child's literacy problems & telling a parent they can't provide additional support.

Make contact with the school again & ask to speak to the SENCO (Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator), she should be able to tell what they can actually do for your child - there should be a literacy group in the school, which can help her.

Also contact your local Parent Partnership for independent advice on you child's special educational needs
http://www.parentpartnership.org.uk/

Contact your Local Authority.
You can ask to speak to both the Special Educational Needs section & the Educational Psychology Section.

A parent/school can ask an Educational Psychologist to assess your child's needs.

Contact your Special Educational Needs section to ask for information on how to start a Statutory Assessment of your child's Special Educational Needs. They should also be able to advise you on the different stages in the school, School Action or School Action Plus. If you ask them they should also be able to advise on how support is funded in schools, in most schools very few people understand how funding actually works & there also appears to be an assumption by this teacher that your child needs a teaching assistant to stand over her when that may not be the case at all.

Regarding dyslexia assessments, you could also ask your GP If s/he can refer you to someone or contact these guys but I believe they can be expensive.
http://www.dyslexiaaction.org.uk/

[froggequene]

This is copy of the booklet we give out to parents, which you may find useful:
http://www.teachernet.gov.uk/_doc/3755/Parents %20Guide.pdf