Posted on Aug-18-11 at 09:45 PM (Eastern) by 76.101.225.143
The reason I ask is my son is adhd and has trouble with math, writing and reading. From working with him, I have noticed that he doesn't know the difference between a d and p (they said he'd grow out of this and hasn't), he also has asked me if a W went this way W or This way M.... This was months ago! BTW... he's 9.
I didn't mention the upside down letters today, but asked him if he had problems with any letters, like he does with the d and p. I asked him what about his W or M, or U or N, he said no, he doesn't have problems with them... then he said well except when they are upside down (I never told him they were upside down)! I also noticed that when he's trying to write cursive, he doesn't start the letters in the correct place, so he can't write in cursive. He also refuses to do math, can't get the concept of going from the right to the left to add, subtract, etc. And I've worked on this with him alot! He won't try and sound out words either, he says it's too hard.
Now I know that many of these are traits of Dyslexia. And it makes sense that he started having adhd trouble when he was in a grade that started reading and writing... What else should I look for? How do I get him tested?
I told him that he's going to have to work on his homework with me and do his writing and reading and everything, even if he has trouble with it. I told him I want to see what he has trouble with, because if he does have something like Dyslexia, there are ways to teach him that will help him with his school work. He's going to have to read out loud to me, try and sound out words and write his sentences. He agreed to do it. So I'm hoping I figure something out.
1|1|My 30 year old dd is dyslexic. This wasn't figured out until she was a senior in high school. Once it was figured out and we changed how she learned, she was able to do her work in much less time and it was less frustrating. Have the school test your son for it. Does he do well when orally asked a question? |Ranalt|ainebailey@gmail.com|21:57:21|08/18/2011|
Once my DD was diagnosed, all of her tests were given verbally and what a difference. She's a very smart girl and a lot of her comments throughout school by her teachers were " talk too much and needs to apply herself more"
Not true, she had a learning disability that was undiagnosed.
Again get him tested...it could be life changing for him.
Check this out.
http://www.dyslexia.com/library/symptoms.htm
Life is like a cup of tea,
It's all in how you make it.
Lisa
2|2|He can tell me his spelling words, but when he writes them...|jdlaurie|savethosepennies@aol.com|06:54:21|08/19/2011|
he has issues. Spells them differently every time. I'll have to mention it to his teacher and see if there is a way to have him tested. 3|1|spoke with his doctor today.... he said...|jdlaurie|savethosepennies@aol.com|20:27:44|08/19/2011|
that if the MRI and the EEG are unable to determine anything because of the quality of the pics they take, that we should get a second opinion on this. Then he also said that if they find nothing and they are sure, we should do some neuropsychology testing to determine if he has a learning disorder (like dyslexia). I told him I'm sure he does have ADHD, but he hates school so much and refuses to read and write, he's had behavior issues ever since he's been in a grade that he had to start reading and with the other issues with backwards and upside down letters, I just want to make sure he doesn't have any more difficulty than he has to have. If it means he has a learning disability that I can get him help with to make school easier so he's not so stressed out all the time... I think it's worth checking into. The doctor actually agreed with me. I think he finally realized that I was questioning his diagnosis... I'm just trying to give Steven a reasonable chance at a real education and a real life.
So at least I feel like I have a direction. These needs meds he's on have helped him alot and I've told him I just want to help him because he might just learn differently than others, but he has to help me figure it out, which means do what the doctors say. He agreed he would... so I have to jump on this while he's agreeable. 4|2|Imagine that you are eight, ect and that you cannot read as simply as others can. Imagine you have the worst time trying to read. You will do anything to get out of doing it. You will act up, you will talk, you will do anything but read. Some of these ways of avoiding reading also may look like add or adhd symptoms as well.|Ranalt|ainebailey@gmail.com|20:35:17|08/19/2011|
Since my DD is almost 31, ADD and ADHD were not even around when she was in school. If they were, I am sure I would have been told she was because as I said above, she did everything possible to avoid reading.
My DD hated to read. She now reads two books every month.
Not every person learns the same way, yet schools mainstream teach. I personally would like to see mainstream testing for dyslexia. Seems to show up in second and third graders. By fourth grade, if they have it they really hate reading and most school subjects as you have to read to do any of the other subjects.
Life is like a cup of tea,
It's all in how you make it.
Lisa
5|3|This is exactly what I'm thinking... he's in |jdlaurie|savethosepennies@aol.com|21:51:47|08/19/2011|
fourth grade now... but only got to this grade because teachers really worked with him. He can't do the standard testing, I think it's because he can't read the paperwork! I would really love to find out the real cause for his issues. I was reading something on behavioral problems in kids with Dyslexia and It's all making more sense! To think I've been mentioning the d and b letter thing for years! And no one thought to test him. I'm finally pushing for this! 6|1|My .02|Isha|tm2ewing@sbcglobal.net|22:32:26|08/19/2011|
I would strongly recommend that you ask the school for an IEP for your son. This will make them do some really extensive testing on him, and if they find he has a learning disorder it will also get him the specialized attention he needs. Not to mention, behavior plans if he needs them.
And just for some reassurance,,, both my brother and I are dyslexic. I am considered partially dyslexic, I mostly have problems with numbers. Unfortunately back in the day they didn't catch our problem until high school. Even then they didn't do much of nothing. Either way we adapted (with lots of help from our parents) and we are both highly succesful, educated, happy people. So although, I know things have got to be tough right now, know that with your support and love he will be ok.
*hugs* Melissa
***Mailing from Northern California***
Please leave feedback if we've traded... Thanks :) Melissa
http://www.refundsweepers.com/dcforum/feedback/1113.html
7|2|Thanks, but getting a iep in some places is next to impossible.|jdlaurie|savethosepennies@aol.com|14:02:25|08/20/2011|
Unless of course I get a diagnosis from somewhere else. My son has diagnosed adhd and I still can't get an IEP for him. I was able to get a 504 plan last year, but it wasn't until he was ready to fail the state mandated fcat test. If it wasn't for that, I would be getting it.
It's sad... but some schools try anything they can ton to not provide what the kids need.
8|3|Have you contacted the school board or gone to a meeting to complain? |saint6811|waylan@comcast.net|14:50:41|08/20/2011|
" You'll get what's coming to you ... Unless it was mailed."
9|1|What state are you in? If you can't get an IEP for your son, I can get you contact information to go above your school as well as infomation for an advocate for your child....grr.....gotta love when schools shirk out of their duties.|Ranalt|ainebailey@gmail.com|14:56:14|08/20/2011|
Can you email me your zip code or post here and I can go from there.
Life is like a cup of tea,
It's all in how you make it.
Lisa
10|2|Lisa, thank you for helping Laurie with this...I cannot believe the school is just shirking their duties and responsibilities to her son! :(|saint6811|waylan@comcast.net|16:23:42|08/20/2011|
" You'll get what's coming to you ... Unless it was mailed."
11|3|It was like pulling teeth when I sought help for my son.....|Beaglesfly|lmllr77@aol.com|16:47:34|08/20/2011|
I couldn't get an IEP either for my son who has ADHD. We finally got a TSS (therapeutic staff support) worker to help him in class, but then the insurance company nixed it. Had to appeal and go to hearings to keep his TSS worker.
There should be something in place in all schools to help these kids that need to learn differently. There's just no way around it - if they aren't taught in a different style than the other children, they will fail and be frustrated. But the school system seems to have a hard time taking this into account.
lauren
ps. I hope this turns out this diagnosis is a real breakthrough for your son, Laurie. It seems quite likely to me that a lot of his ADHD symptoms were actually from the dyslexia instead or at the very least the dyslexia was exacerbating the adhd symptoms. 13|4|Apparently too many think ADHD is overdiagnosed...|jdlaurie|savethosepennies@aol.com|19:34:37|08/20/2011|
so they don't seem to want to help... But when you see a kid is having a really hard time, has behavior issues and has a diagnosis from a physchiatrist, you would think you'd step up. I think they might be afraid that if they give him the IEP and put him on the ESE program (can you believe he's not even considered a ESE student???), that I might take the mackay scholarship and find someone that can help him!
I'm crossing my fingers that this year will be better... but just when I think Steven is able to control some things... he has trouble with others. I've already warned the school about some of the things he does and I've told them they are are not voluntary, so if they start up, they need to let me know so I can work with his mental health counselor and physchiatrist (???I just can't spell tonight!). In other words, I don't want to be called into the office for every little thing he does! Deal with it! If they tell me it's happening I can help, if they don't then they are going to have to figure it out!
12|2|Thanks Lisa|jdlaurie|savethosepennies@aol.com|19:28:28|08/20/2011|
I don't want to jump the gun yet. Steven had an excellent year last year when it came to behavior compared to previous years and we are in the middle of getting the MRI and EEG... so who knows what we will find at this point...but if we can't get any further after we've had this checked out, or if things continue to get worse. I will need definately need that information. I'm going to work harder with him on his homework this year. It will be easier for me since I have alot of my medical problems under control. I will email you my information and would love whatever you find.
Steven has had trouble since kindergarten. One year we had a behavior plan, then last year the 504 plan.... but could never get any further with anything. Although the school seems to want to help... I'm not sure they are doing everything they can. We have a new principle this year and apparently her son had adhd... so maybe I will get a little further on my own this year. We have had meetings several times a year to discuss behavior, etc.
Laurie