Getting dyslexia evaluation for DD & feeling like DD has to be convinced

I’m coming to this as both the parent of 4 children with unique learning issues as well as a former educator trained in evaluating children, adolescents and adults for learning disabilities – including Dyslexia and Dysgraphia — as well as coordinating services and accommodations for them in a classroom environment.  There was a time in education when we pushed for evaluations of kids that were demonstrating reversals, omissions, substitutions, etc. in either written work or in reading – both for letters, words and numbers.  Then the trend changed and we began to realize that some children benefit from a little longer to mature and develop and now most evaluations aren’t done until a child is 8 or 9 at the earliest.  I see wisdom in both approaches.  But, I also see that as homeschoolers we have the flexibility that isn’t possible in a traditional brick and mortar school and we can make adjustments and modifications to help our children learn without making them feel different from others in the classroom.  Some of the techniques that are utilized for teaching kids w/ Dyslexia are really just good teaching techniques and would be beneficial for all kids.

With that in mind – some thoughts — first, I would be leery of a place that is offering evaluations for $150 but training on top of that for several thousand dollars.  To have a true evaluation you need to have a trained pediatric neuropsychologist, educational psychologist or even better a team.  If you have a local children’s hospital or as someone mentioned a Scottish-Rites program they typically provide excellent evaluations and then based on the results can help you identify if specific programs are needed or just a change in the way you approach teaching.  The evals can help to pinpoint if there are multiple issues — perhaps ADD/ADHD that is also occurring w/ learning disabilities.   Most children  – especially most Dyslexic children/adolescents/adults that I have worked with benefit greatly from an Orton-Gillingham approach to reading.  There are programs that are O-G based but truthfully move to quickly for a truly Dyslexic individual.  For at home Barton is great as is Wilson Language — they have a program specifically for younger children called Wilson Fundations that I’ve personally seen great results with and kids love it.

For now you can make some modifications on your own w/ how you handle your “school”.  Read about various techniques and programs and try some of their ideas at home.  Then as your dd matures a little more you can determine if you need to pursue an evaluation.   I do think that evals are important as a child ages – particularly by middle school.  It helps both the parent and child to understand the struggles and it prepares the parent and child for being able to receive accommodations if needed on college admission tests as well as in college.