[bazzais]

The presrcibed inabiltity for dislexics to write thir own thouhts and be understood only exists in the mind of people who can actually understand and want to make critisisms. So they actually understand in order to make a judgement.

Baz

[Plantoid]

As a kid in the mid 1950's I was beaten black & blue across my legs arse abd back on several occasions by the headmaster of the country primary school for not reading or playing maths when told .. ( Hardly conducive  education )
 I didn't write  or do any maths till I was turned ten.. the dicky nurse Nitty Nora the Nit Finder also used to do the school child development and hearing etsts etc.
 I have a vivid memory or redletter on the rhs of the record card for me having FLK on it which I found in later years was short for Funny Little Kid..
 I had a full tchnical apprenticeship and went on to getting HMD mech enginering but always had probs with maths and spellings.
 At the age of 44 i was told I'm as dislexic as burberry .. I did  wonder because once I had to order a small but  expansive spare part for a Rolls Royce engine which had something like 24 digits or numbers in the part number .

Three months later I got dragged in to the bosses  office  , he took me outdside to show me what I had ordered as it was on a low loader .
 I was taken off office side work from there on.

[Lesley Silvester]

It's horrific how children used to be treated in schools.  At least teachers are3 more aware of dyslexia now.

I have a friend who,some years back, was going through sojme severe emotional problems.  She used to write it down to show me as she found it difficult to put her feelings into words.  It would take her many attempts before the letter was ready (I know because I dropped in one day while she was writing and saw all the screwed up paper on the floor).  I suggested that she might be dyslexic so she paid for a test.  the result was that she is severely dyslexic.  She was highly delighted and kept saying, "So I'm not thick.  there's a reason for it."

[FiB]

MGM - can you recommend a place/way of get getting a test - Ive had a look on the web, but lots of sites seem to be selling something (other than a test).  I would really rather get an indication first before I go to the school as I  dont think they will take me seriously and I think they will think it's me looking for excuses for what they are reporting to me (that he doesnt 'try' hard enough - he is having a tough time learning welsh and I think its making everything else worse)  I want to get some evidence and then go to them to work out a plan.  Thank you, Fi

[jaykay]

To get a private test will cost money.

The educational psychologist who covers your school should be able to test.

Learning Welsh will indeed be making things more difficult!

Keep in mind the possibility that he may not be trying hard enough. And sadly, if he does prove dyslexic, he will have to try harder than kids who are not. Although aware teachers can help, they can't do anything that will make it as easy for him as for kids who don't struggle with literacy however much the websites will tell you otherwise.

You yourself can find out if he prefers 'input' as visual, auditory or kinaesthetic. Many kids who struggle at school are kinaesthetic learners, who need to learn by doing. Of course humans evolved to do this, but classrooms are not good places for such folk and most teachers, who did well in the system by definition, are visual or auditory learners- and as you learn best, so you teach.

But if you know you can teach him ways to learn that suit him better.

I would go back to the school and push for him to be seen by the Ed Psych.

Here is a kid-friendly VAK test: http://brainboxx.co.uk/a3_aspects/pages/VAK_quest.htm

[FiB]

Many thanks JayKay.  I KNOW he isnt trying as hard as he could - I think he has allready disengaged to a large extent (especially with maths) and goes in with a 'I just cant do it' attitude which breaks my heart.  I think if my suspicions are true then a positive ID might give him some of that 'so thats it - I'm not thick/slow/clumsey' feeling that others have described above, and give the school something to work with.    Ive got him pegged as a Visual/Kinasthetic learner.  Stuff rarely makes sense to him auraly. Many thanks I will talk to the school when I go back.

[jaykay]

I too am a visual/kinaesthetic learner  And it's possible to actually prevent me learning by talking to me, it's like I've got bees buzzing in my head after a while. At 48, I am able to stick my fingers in my ears if someone is talking to the point that they're preventing me 'getting it' but of course a child can't do that without getting into trouble.

So your boy needs to do stuff as much as possible and then see diagrams and flow charts of stuff he has to learn. I can't learn languages just by hearing them - I have to see what the words look like to 'fix' them in my brain. Maths is relatively easy to make visual, if you've got a creative teacher or if you're ok with Maths.

I wish you every bit of luck - that ' I can't do it, I've lost hope' is such a waste. If I can help I will, please come back and ask.

[little blue]

oh, MGWM, forgot to tell you ... asked around @ work & my mate is going to ask the external dyslexia specialist (one left last and summer & not replaced) to recommend books etc for you.

The VAK test should be compulsory for everybody!
and dyslexia testing...

[FiB]

I too am a visual/kinaesthetic learner  And it's possible to actually prevent me learning by talking to me, it's like I've got bees buzzing in my head after a while. At 48, I am able to stick my fingers in my ears if someone is talking to the point that they're preventing me 'getting it' but of course a child can't do that without getting into trouble.

  Me too!!  If someone tries to tell me directions, I  start feeling so frustrated I would love to put my fingers in my ears.  I might try it next time when someone carries on after I have repeatedly asked them to stop so I can write it down (draw a map!!)

[jaykay]

Oh, directions  If I remember two steps I'm doing well  Yes, drawing it is what works.
See, we've learned ways to learn that suit us - and that lad of yours will too, with a bit of help from his friends 

[Lesley Silvester]

MGM - can you recommend a place/way of get getting a test - Ive had a look on the web, but lots of sites seem to be selling something (other than a test).  I would really rather get an indication first before I go to the school as I  dont think they will take me seriously and I think they will think it's me looking for excuses for what they are reporting to me (that he doesnt 'try' hard enough - he is having a tough time learning welsh and I think its making everything else worse)  I want to get some evidence and then go to them to work out a plan.  Thank you, Fi

Try www.bdadyslexia.org.uk for info.  They are the official site and there's a lot on there.  Hope you get your lad sorted.  I have a nephew who just gave up when he was diagnosed but others see it as a positive thing.

oh, MGWM, forgot to tell you ... asked around @ work & my mate is going to ask the external dyslexia specialist (one left last and summer & not replaced) to recommend books etc for you.

The VAK test should be compulsory for everybody!
and dyslexia testing...

Thank you.


I too am more visual and kinaesthetic.  the assessment I had showed that my biggest problem is with my visual memory.  Have to look to see which hand has a ring on to know which is left.  Can't remember instructions, phone numbers, etc.  My reading and spelling are good despite the terrible typos.   

[FiB]

Try www.bdadyslexia.org.uk for info.  They are the official site and there's a lot on there.  Hope you get your lad sorted.  I have a nephew who just gave up when he was diagnosed but others see it as a positive thing.

Thanks for the link.  Your nephews story is sad and is exactly my worry about getting tested - its a gamble whether the knowledge and actions of others (teachers and fellow pupils) will help or not.   I will talk to the school some more though.  Thanks all and good luck

[Lesley Silvester]

Try www.bdadyslexia.org.uk for info.  They are the official site and there's a lot on there.  Hope you get your lad sorted.  I have a nephew who just gave up when he was diagnosed but others see it as a positive thing.

Thanks for the link.  Your nephews story is sad and is exactly my worry about getting tested - its a gamble whether the knowledge and actions of others (teachers and fellow pupils) will help or not.   I will talk to the school some more though.  Thanks all and good luck

To be honest my nephew just used it as an excuse.  He just didn't want to bother.  Let us know how you get on but do push the school.  They have to do something.