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Need help thinking this through…
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Hi all!
I haven’t posted in months, but could really use some advice.
My 11 year old has struggled to become a fluent reader. I have wondered about her having dyslexia and we are currently debating about having her tested. It is going to cost us $1800, however. Priceless if it helps, but a big cost none the less. We’ve done some online “screenings” and she comes back as “low-moderate risk”. Some weak areas we’ve noticed:
-mispronouncing occassional words (omitting the end sound – on maybe 5-10 words total)
– spelling in free-writing is phonetic, but often incorrect (during spelling class however, she’s 100%. We use AAS, level 4 currently)
– occassional errors in rhyming
– trouble memorizing math facts, though steadily improving, but very slowly
– she decodes on grade level, but fluency is lacking. She will occassionally miss words with silent ‘e’ and other phonics rules she knows. When you remind her of the rule, she immediately knows. She often guesses at words, but is improving.
– she took a bit longer to sort out multiplication but has had no difficulty with other math concepts, including long division, etc
– she is an eager reader/learner, no behavior struggles
– she does not reverse letters/numbers
– writing isn’t her strong area. She has trouble putting her thoughts into well structured sentences, but she’s improving.
In a case like above, would you test? We are remediating reading and trying to fill in any gaps she has. I am hesitant to put her through the testing for a couple reasons…she seems to have so few red flags and she’s so eager to keep moving forward. She’s game to try anything and everything I suggest for reading and I don’t want to bombard her with intense testing and start throwing around the word dyslexia. I don’t want her to think there is “something wrong with her.” Especially if I am seeing smoke, but there is no fire. On the flip side…if her struggles are due to dyslexia, I’d like to be able to explain to her why she struggles if she ever wonders. The cost is another issue. We could swing it, but it would be a big struggle to start Barton or a similar program after if that was the recommendation. I’m concerned that we will get the testing but not be able to afford the help we need after the fact.
We have had her hearing checked by our GP and her eyes with both a basic and extended exam. We are in Canada and there was only 1 COVD optometrist in our province and unfortunately we are not able to travel to see her at this time. We do have an appointment booked for next month to have another extended exam with a doc who has extra training and offers VT – though is not certified with COVD.
struggling…to test…or not to test…
I would not test unless she needs accommodations for a standardized test or later if she needs accommodations for college.
I would continue with All About Spelling and save your money to try other things if needed. Orton Gillingham programs are the most frequently recommended for dyslexia, one of which is All About Spelling and All About Reading.
Years ago my son used Stevensonlearning.com materials for three years for his undiagnosed dyslexia. It was very helpful. The key is to spend several years with a tutor(mom counts) and work on reading in a positive, supportive environment.
My kindergartener struggles with reading. We are using Child1st.com materials, which work well because she is very active. They have math materials too. I have learned lot from her blog, and feel much more equipped to teach my dd.
Keep up the good work!
Do you see more struggle when she has to write things down versus oral? That may not apply to all areas you mention above either.
Do you feel that it happens enough that it has you questioning whether or not there is an underlying something? If you feel something is amiss and you want to help her then testing her will be the best way to do that efficiently (with time and money). The Lord will provide the right tools so don’t worry about that. Otherwise, play around with some things and keep going with what you feel fits her needs the best.
Could it be something other than dyslexia?
My dd8 has learning challenges and we’ve gone both ways at different times. Sometimes the testing didn’t reveal what I thought but it gave me the one on one time with a professional to discuss a game plan. Other times we didn’t test and maybe we should have. My vote is to test to give your family peace of mind.
Hope that helps.
I don’t think she struggles more when she has to write things down. She is eager to write, for the most part. She is currently writing a chapter book. Each chapter is about 2 paragraphs long, but she’s on her 4th chapter. 🙂 She doesn’t *love* to write for science and other subjects, and will often try to get by with the absolute minimum amount – omitting information, etc. I don’t know if this is a LD issue, though. I think it’s more of a personality thing. LOL If it’s about horses, she’s ALL over it!
I think this is why I am so hesitant to test. It would make it easier to decide if she was struggling more, if that makes sense.
Look into vision therapy. My daughter had one eye that was weaker and the other then was trying to do all the work. She is now strengthening her eyes with specific exercises for the eye and is now slowly improving. She has some of the things you are describing. There are specific optometrists in Canada who specialize in this vidion therapy which is different then just an eye exam. I hope you have something like this in the U.S. My daughter still has a ways to go. She is 10 years old and in level 2 of All About Reading. I wish I had been told about this when she was younger but we just take one day at a time and enjoy that In CM she is learning so much, from me being able to read all those living books out loud to her.
Kim.
Hi Kim!
We are in Canada as well, but using the COVD website, I was able to find only one doc who was certified to do an extensive eye test. We have had a more in-depth test done previously where they checked tracking and such. We have a second exam like this booked for next month, just to get a 2nd opinion. The 2nd doc is from a clinic that offers VT, so hoping we are going in the right direction. Perhaps I am looking in the wrong places to find the right optometrist though?
My 11 yo has informally been diagnosed with dyslexia by an educational consultant who specializes in dyslexia and math disabilities. My daughter also has a high moderate disability in math as well. I never had formal testing done. We used Barton for a while, as I posted in a recent thread on dyslexia/dysgraphia. If you are using AAS, I would not spend the money on Barton. My daughter is not a fluent reader yet, but with practice, I think it is coming. She has had visual problems as well as the dyslexia, and since she had surgery to align her eyes a little over a year ago, her reading has been better. So, other than having your daughter’s vision checked, if you feel you need a program for reading, there is an inexpensive one called Reading Pathways and Phonics Pathways. They use reading triangles for fluency practice. I believe they even mention dyslexia in the book, so it is beneficial for someone who has it. I used it for a while, and maybe should have had my daughter work through the whole book. You can purchase that program through Amazon. HTH
The Recipe for Reading is another OG program that is supposed to be inexpensive and was recommended on another group. There is a book, workbook, and readers. Rainbowresource and Amazon have it.
Hth
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